And They Kept Iowa HIV Criminal Moving Coming by Royal Bush Statute Forum 8/8 On Up My first pride parade was in Omaha around 1986, we gathered in the parking lot across from the old Astro Theater (now the Rose Theater) and marched to Turner Park (now Mid-Town Crossing.) When we Omaha Vigil Against Violence. Photo arrived at Turner courtesy of Marcus Fender. park I turned and saw many more people still behind me, they all kept coming, pouring into the park where hundreds gathered. In 2009 I traveled to DC for the Equality March on Washington. As the Rev. Troy Perry began the opening, powerful, words I turned and looked as hundreds of thousands kept coming… I began to weep to see so many people, we were straight and gay together! It was an incredible experience, a life changing moment of my life.
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Nick Rhoades was sentenced by a Black Hawk County court to 25 years in prison for “criminal transmission of HIV” even though he used a condom, had an undetectable viral load and did not transmit HIV. His case has attracted global attention as an especially egregious example of what has become known as “HIV criminalization.” After medical, public health and scientific experts and advocates contacted the judge; he reconsidered the sentence and released Rhoades after serving a year. Rhoades has become an anticriminalization advocate, working with the Center for HIV Law & Policy and testifying at UNAIDS meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, and at the United Nations in New York on July 9. Rhoades will join a panel of experts, including Randy Mayer, Chief, Bureau of HIV, STD and Hepatitis, Iowa Department of Public Health, Tami Haught, from Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN) and Iowa City native Sean Strub, an AIDS activist who founded POZ Magazine and now leads the SERO Project, at a community forum on August 8th at the Ames Public Library auditorium. The panelists will discuss modernization of Iowa’s
TTInterview page 11
What’s Inside:
Section 1: News & Politics
Advertising rates 3 NOH8 Campaign Mobile Studio in Cedar Rapids 8/14 4 The Push-Up Brawlers at CVP 4 Iowa Duo Har-di-Har at Cedar Valley Pridefest 4 A Cedar Valley Band at CVP 5 Brazilian 2wins Invade CVP 5 Minor Details by Robert Minor 6 Irony of Priorities by Tony E. Hansen 7 Chik-Fil-A:Why You Should Give a Cluck by Jennifer Miller 7 Remarkables:Progressive Revisit Paul Revere by J Wilson 8 Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor 8 Digging Deeper interview by Amber Dunham 9 Affordable Care Act by PPH CEO Jill June 9 Scouts Demand Moral & Sexual Straightness by Blumenfeld10 Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski 10
TTIOWA HIV story on page 14
19th Iowa Women’s A Chat About Words’ Music Festival 9/1 ‘Warren’s interview by Angela Geno-Stumme Prairie Voices Productions is proud to announce their 19th Annual Iowa Women’s Music Festival, to be held SaturdaySunday, September 1-2, 2012 in Iowa City, Iowa. The festival features local, regional and national performers, a free day stage in Upper City Park, an intimate evening performance at the historic Englert Theatre celebrating the roots of women’s music, a film screening, and a crafts market. Saturday, September 1st the Iowa Women’s Music Festival will host “Day in the Park” at Upper City Park in Iowa City, Iowa from noon to 6 PM. The event is free to attend, no tickets required, bring blankets and lawn chairs for grass seating— Pets are welcome. The festival will also feature a kids area, --a crafts market, and food vendors. Performers: Kim-Char Meredith, Emjay, Coles Whalen, Big Bad Gina, Lisa Ferraro & Erika Luckett, local artists Sharon Jackson Band, and Camille Bloom & The Recovery. Saturday, September 1st at 8 PM, the Englert Theatre will be Celebrating the Roots of Women in Music with Cris Williamson and Ferron & Bitch at 221 East Washington Street,
TTIWMF continued on page 34
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Section 2: Fun Guide
Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld is an associate professor at Iowa State University and has been writing social commentary for many years. ‘Warren’s Words: Smart Commentary on Social Justice’ is a compilation of his best essays. Much of this work addresses lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues, and he also writes about such topics as bullying, being Jewish, the intersectionality of identities, race, religion, and immigration. It is great for readers who want to delve deeper into an understanding of what it means to be socially just and socially conscious. Purple Press just released your book Warren’s Words: Smart Commentary on Social Justice. How long has this book been in the works? And why did you decide to publish? The book has been in the works for literally decades, though I did not know it was “in the works.” I enjoy writing commentaries and essays focusing on issues of social justice coming from the headlines and news events of the day. Writing
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Entertainment Picks for the Month 11 Moving On Up:Travis Wall Interview by Chris Azzopardi 11 Wired This Way by Rachel Eliason 12 Magic Mike:An Aftertaste Like Bad Porn by Heidi Cullinan 13 Cocktail Chatter by Ed Sikov 14 The Outfield by Dan Woog 14 Inside Out: Duality by Ellen Krug 15 Des Moines Artstop 9/14-29 Featuring Elements Ltd. 16 From The Heart by Rev. Kathy Love, D.D. 16 South Dakota Celebrates PRIDE in Sioux Falls 16 The New Kings on the Block by Angela Geno-Stumme 21 Hear Me Out by Chris Azzopardi 22 Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente 22 The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer 24 Comics and Crossword Puzzle 24-25
Section 3: Community
FFBC:Food For Thought from Matt Russell by Bruce Carr 26 Central Iowa Prime Timers 26 International Puppy 11/9 26 From the Pastor’s Pen by Rev. Jonathan Page 27 Regional LGBT Choruses Sing At GALA 2012 by R Miller 27 Forgiveness by Royal Bush, Multifaith Chaplain 28 The Tool Box August Events 28 A Voice From Our Past-A Message from Alex Cooke 29 QCAD Event Calendar 29 Midwest Leather Weekend 10/5-6 2012 30 Business Directory 31-32 Greater Omaha GLBT Network Calendar 34 The Project of the Quad Cities Calendar 34
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AUGUST 2012
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Section 1: News & Politics SScontinued from page 1
OMAHA I received an email and text message around 2pm on Sunday, July 22nd asking for help. A friend shared that a friend was in a bad place and needed help. It seems that around 4am that morning someone broke into her home, assaulted her and attempted to set her house on fire. The words left on her body and in her home made it easy to realize that she was a survivor of a hate crime. I made a few phone calls, one to Beth Rigatuso who put out a call to action for others to gather at 7pm at 84th and Grover to carpool to Lincoln. We arrived in Lincoln around 8pm. Beth and I met with leaders and organizers of the State Capital Vigil. We prepared a line up and organized all those marching from the Panic to the State Capital. We started off on a 6 block journey. As I turned around I noticed that people were parking their cars and joining us on the way to the capital. People drove by, honked, and waived in support! There were no nay-Sayers or negative displays at any time. I was very proud of Lincoln, and other Nebraskans as we came together. As we arrived on the West side of the State Capital, the sight brought tears to so many eyes. Already assembled where hundreds more people. As we reached the stairs I looked out into the sea of people and realized, there were more coming…they just kept coming. Each speaker spoke their words in support of Charlie and against the hate crime in our community that occurred. You could
feel the sea of emotion, you could feel the love, you could see “one city” come together to say this is not right and we will not be silent. On the way back to Omaha plans were underway to hold a vigil in Omaha. The next day Erin Anderson-Ravnhold and Beth Rigatuso invited me to co-organized the Omaha Vigil Against Violence. Permits, communications with Police, City Officials and getting speakers lined up to present was done quickly. The site would be Omaha’s Memorial Park. As I arrived around 6pm at Memorial Park to set up, I took a photo of the “empty” park. When others arrived around 7pm it was clear that this would be a large response. At 8pm, hundreds of people came together. The stories of what brought them to this park for this vigil rang loud and clear and often followed with a hug or a tear or a handshake. At 8:30pm Erin welcomed everyone. Our River City Mixed Chores shared a wonderful tribute song “We Are Singing For Our Lives”, as they did tears fell from my face as I looked out into the massive park and watched as they kept coming…people from all directions arrive to show support. Thursday, Charlie Rogers came forward to meet with the press and express her thanks for the support and love she has been shown since the moments of her attack. I am so very proud of the GLBT and allies in Lincoln, Omaha (Metro) and in Nebraska. As Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle said we are a one city when we have respect, tolerance and acceptance for all who live here, it is what will make us a 21st century and first class city.
ACCESSline Page 3 There is much healing for so many; Charlie, her friends, her family, her communities, our cities, our state, our nation. It is often in difficult and scary times that we can personally experience and bring about change and growth through healing. We will all grieve for the impact it has had on so many. I challenge each and every human being, again, to take a stand; share your support, your views, your thoughts and your outrage at this hate crime with your family, your friends, you co-workers, your children, your neighbors, those you worship with, play cards with and all people in your circle of influence. Now, more than ever, IS the right time to no longer be silent about your friends, family, co-workers and others who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. May peace, love and compassion be with you and from you. Rev. Royal D. Bush is the founder Inclusive Life where he serves as a multifaith Chaplain. He shares this message to all: “You are beautiful, you are loved and you are worthy, just the way you are.” He holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. He holds a current certificate of spiritual counseling with the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. Attorney Megan Mikolajczyk of the Kirk & Mikolajczyk Law Offices has announced that a third-party trust is being arranged for donations to the recovery of Charlie Rogers.
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Section 1: News & Politics
AUGUST 2012
Iowa Duo Har-di-Har NOH8 Campaign Mobile Studio in Cedar Rapids 8/14 at Cedar Valley Pridefest On Tuesday, August 14th the NOH8 Campaign will set up our mobile studio in the Dows Fine Arts Center Auditorium at Coe College. The photo shoot is scheduled to begin at 4 PM and end at 7 PM. You do not need to make reservations; it’s first come, first served. When you arrive, you will receive a numbered model release to fill out, followed by receiving your NOH8 tattoo. Numbers will be called throughout the day, and your corresponding release number will signal your time to line up to have your photo taken. The costs of posing for an official NOH8 portrait break down as follows: solo portraits are $40.00 and couple/group portraits are $25.00 per person. Celebrity Photographer & NOH8 Co-Founder Adam Bouska will be working
around the clock to photograph 5-10 frames for each person that comes through. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available to you in about 8 weeks through the website: www.NOH8Campaign. com Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for marriage equality and antidiscrimination through NOH8’s interactive media campaign. This includes bringing the campaign to other cities around the country, as well as compiling the images for a large-scale media campaign. Under consideration is the expansion of our campaign to other media, including television and radio broadcast, billboards, and magazines. Contributions are also used to cover the daily operations and maintenance necessary to run this rapidly growing campaign.
The Push-Up Brawlers at CVP Cedar Valley Derby Divas
The Cedar Valley’s only roller derby team, The Push-Up Brawlers, began in a small gym in a faraway land called Shell Rock about two years ago. Their dreams of becoming rock stars on the flat track just a twinkling glimmer in their helmets. Fast forward to today and you will find them halfway into their second season, practicing twice a week, and bouting about once a month at McElroy Auditorium. A far cry from their humble beginnings of small school gyms and cafeterias. Roller Derby is the fastest growing sport in the world right now. The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, or WFTDA, is the international governing body of the sport, boasting 156 member leagues and 58 apprentice leagues across the globe (http:// wftda.com/about-WFTDA). The Cedar Valley Derby Divas are extremely proud of their most recent accomplishment, being accepted into the WFTDA Apprentice Program. The program provides a platform for up and coming leagues across the world to collaborate and network, sharing best practices and forming a sisterhood, propagating the “by the
skater, for the skater” goal. The WFTDA sets rule standards to keep the sport safe, but still hard hitting. A spectator won’t find flying elbows and clotheslines of staged derby seen on television in the 70’s and 80’s. The modern day version is more a hybrid of football, hockey, and Nascar without the balls, pucks, or race cars. A designated skater, called the Jammer, earns one point for every blocker from the opposing team she passes. The game is simple: get your jammer through and kill the opposing jammer. Cofounders Morgan “Morganized Chaos” Combs and Jess “Bruise Hound” Pruitt could never have imagined that the Brawlers’ first bout would attract more than two thousand spectators. They would go on to host a nationally recognized boot camp two years running and witness tryouts for the first ever Roller Derby World Cup at their own venue. Bruise Hound, who is also the team’s captain, said her team’s accomplishments have “exceeded all her expectations, coming so far in such a short amount of time.” Skaters, who are teachers, stay at home moms, and financial advisors by day, don skates in their free time and learn the value of teamwork. These strong women, working together, are united in a common goal to save the world. Meet the Brawlers in person in an exhibition bout at the Cedar Valley Pridefest at 5pm on August 18th in Waterloo, Iowa. Their next bout will be held at McElroy Auditorium at the National Cattle Congress on October 20th. See cvderbydivas.com or go to the league’s Facebook page for more information.
Cedar Valley Derby Divas. Courtesy of the Push-Up Brawlers
Julie and Andrew Thoreen, Har-di-Har. Courtesy of Har-di-Har Har-di-Har is a multi-instrumentalist, trans-genre acoustic duo, consists of life-long performers and partners Julie and Andrew Thoreen. Har-di-Har will be performing at Cedar Valley Pridefest 2012, Saturday, August 18th in Waterloo, IA. Midwesterners each, these Iowa natives are poised at a crossroads of American sound, geographically and historically. The deft pair is at equal ease with elder sounds like Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Leo Kottke as they are with contemporaries Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Sufjan Stevens, and Beach House. Further, their love of dance music combines to create a sum that has been called “D&V”—as the
sound is largely driven by drums and vocal harmonies, and reverses the groove as impetus for tonal painting. Best is the fact that they accomplish this feat with only two performers, and without the need of loops, samples or programming. Functioning each as rhythm players (guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums), the pair doubles on both lead and harmonic vocals, and supplements the sound with a variety of tastefully peculiar orchestrations. Andrew handles bass drum, trombone, and guitar/bass, while Julie covers snare, toms, cymbals, and keyboards. Their EP, Word(s) of Whim, released August 1, 2012. For more information visit hardihar.com
Har-di-Har in the Studio. Courtesy of Har-di-Har
AUGUST 2012
Section 1: News & Politics
A Cedar Valley Band at CVP The Comfort Kings are a contemporary acoustic band from the flatlands of the Cedar Valley in Iowa. They will be performing at Cedar Valley Pridefest in Waterloo Saturday, August 18th. They play a mix of old-timey, Americana, indie rock and original work using a traditional bluegrass instrumental arrangement. All three members draw on the rich history of regional Americana melodies
to create original songs with vivid, poetic lyrics that evoke bygone eras. Band members are: Cody Grimes (Mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals, harmonica), John Molseed (Banjo, guitar, vocals), and Amie Steffen (Lead vocals, guitar, mandolin). The Comfort Kings debut studio album, “Thaw,” produced by the Aquatic Noise label in Excelsior, Minn., was released earlier this year.
Amie Steffen on guitar and lead vocals, Cody Grimes on mandolin, and John Molseed on banjo. Photo courtesy of Rick Chase.
Brazilian 2wins Invade CVP
The Brazilian 2wins The Brazilian 2wins (pronounced “Twins”) are a high energy music group that has been turning heads with their original look and incredibly unique sound. Led by Walter and Wagner Caldas—charismatic twin brothers from Rio de Janiero, Brazil, the Brazilian 2wins take familiar sounds and inject their own individual flavor. From catchy renditions of crowd favorites to creative instrumentals and contagious originals—you will find yourself instantly hooked. The group incorporates elements from pop, rock, funk, fusion, hip hop and Latin—offering something for everyone, regardless of taste. The Brazilian 2wins will be performing at Cedar Valley Pridefest 2012, Saturday, August 18th in Waterloo, IA.
Walter and Wagner grew up playing classical music in Rio de Janiero where their father, Jonas Caldas, hand-crafted stringed instruments. It was not long before their orchestra gained notoriety in Brazil. In 2006, through a series of fortunate events, the boys ended up landing scholarships at the University of Northern Iowa. It was there that the twins began to modernize their approach and revise their repertoire. Walter and Wagner are internationally recognized, having played in Brazil, Spain, Portugal, New York, and Los Angeles. They have also performed for international dignitaries at the Iowa Capitol Building in Des Moines, IA (including the former presidents of Brazil and Ghana). Armed with a violin and cavaquinho (Brazilian ukulele), the Caldas brothers have entertained audiences as young as five and as old as ninety. In the spring of 2010, the brothers broadened their approach by teaming up with bass player Riley Scheetz and drummer Jason Ratcliff. Originally jazz musicians, Scheetz and Ratcliff now integrate their own signature elements to give the Brazilian 2wins an incredibly unique flow. The group has been making waves in eastern Iowa, wowing crowds of all ages with their fun, distinctive approach to music. The Brazilian 2wins is something you’ve never seen and will never forget. The Brazilian 2wins Band is a totally new way of appreciating music. More information: http://brazilian2wins.com and http://facebook.com/ brazilian2wins
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WARREN’S WORDS commentaries helps to keep me connected and grounded with issues that interest me. Though I also enjoy writing articles for academic journals, sometimes the structure of these articles can be very limiting to one’s creativity, for there seems to be a standard template for having one’s articles go through the peer review journal process. When I write commentaries, I often think of the movie “Julia,” with Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda. When their characters were in their teens, Lillian (the younger Jane character) was invited for dinner at Julia’s home. Lillian was surprised that during the dinner consisting of many courses, after eating fish, the butler placed a small silver bowl of sherbet in front of the diners. He then cut and served the next course of roast beef. Following the dinner, Julia’s grandparents excused the two girls from the table, and on their way to Julia’s room, Lillian asked why the butler served the sherbet in the middle of the meal. Julia responded in a rather contemptuous tone of the practice, “because it clears the pallet between the fish and the meat.” Well, in a way, writing commentaries for me clears the mind between writing academic articles. When writing commentaries, I can express myself with few limitations to my creative spirit. I find that commentaries also are more accessible to readers, and they definitely keep me grounded. My book has reached publication because of the kindness and wisdom of my publisher, Ronni Sanlo, of Purple Press. I have been sending my commentaries out scattered into cyberspace for a number of years, and last year Ronni contacted me saying, “Warren, your commentaries need to have a wider audience. Your words are inspiring, and you often look at issues from angles that no one else sees. Please think about publishing some of your best works with Purple Press.” I jumped at the chance, and now the book is “out.” I am grateful to Ronni’s kindness and support for my work. She is quite a remarkable writer herself and her experiences as a lesbian mother and grandmother and as the daughter of a man who, during World War II, was among the liberating force of Dachau Concentration Camp are inspiring, poignant, and deeply personal. I am eagerly anticipating reading her book profiling her father, which will be coming out very soon. As a compilation of essays, which ones would you consider a ‘must read’ for the LGBT community? And why? Throughout the entire volume, I intersperse commentaries that focus specifically on LGBT/Queer issues and heterosexism. I think the strength of the volume, however, is the ways in which I make connections between the multiple forms of social identities and social oppressions. One of the philosophies that has remained in me from my readings in social justice was the idea of the “Oppression Wheel,” in which the spokes represent the multiple forms of oppression, for example, racism, sexism, heterosexism, cissexism (transgender oppression), ethnocentrism, classism, ableism, ageism, adultism, xenophobia, religious oppression including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, looksism, sizeism, issues of eco-justice, and others. If we as individuals and as a society focus primarily on dismantling one or two of the spokes from the wheel, and even if this is successful,
ACCESSline Page 5 the wheel of oppression will continue to roll over individuals and entire groups. We as a society, therefore, must begin to understand the multiplicity of connections within and between these forms of social oppression, and act on this fuller understanding if we are going to have a chance of creating a more equitable and just society. So getting back to your question, I believe the entire volume, as well as a great number of other entire volumes would be “must reads” for members of LGBT communities. How does living in Iowa influence your writing and what Midwestern topics do you discuss? Being bicoastal for most of my life (living in New York City and Upstate New York, Los Angeles and San José California, Washington, DC, Cambridge and Northampton, Massachusetts) I did and still continue to experience a certain culture shock living in the great state of Iowa. First, I never experienced living within a rural agricultural area. I have developed a great respect for people in the agricultural industry and their families, many of whom are my students. Secondly, I never experienced living within a state with limited diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and religious backgrounds specifically. My area of expertise reflects issues around social justice and multiculturalism. I find it, therefore, challenging but also exciting and exhilarating to teach courses titled “Multicultural Foundations in Schools and Society” and “Anti-Racism Curriculum and Implementation” in the School of Education and “Queer Studies” in the Women and Gender Studies Program here at Iowa State University. The irony is that I teach multicultural education within a primarily monocultural area of the country. While I love my job, sometimes I do yearn to reside back in Massachusetts, which I do and always will consider as my home. In a few years, I hope to retire back to Western Massachusetts, where my heart still resides. As an Iowa State University Associate Professor what have you learned from teaching? I have learned many things. First, I have learned that for me, teaching is the greatest occupation imaginable. Just think about it: one gets to read interesting books with mindexpanding ideas, and then discuss these ideas with, primarily, interested and engaged students. And in addition, one actually gets paid for it, though the salary could certainly be better. But I am single, and I have enough to meet my modest needs. I have always, ever since I was a young child, wanted to become a university professor. I have achieved my career goal, and I love it! I have also learned that a professor can only reach students who want to learn, and that I need to focus on my successes instead of on those students whom I seemingly have not reached. Who knows, maybe something we discussed in class will have resonance for these students somewhere down the line. As a professor, I may never know what impact my classes have had on students, but I try to simply rest on the assumption that I have done the best possible that I can do, and that students have taken something positive away with them into their lives. You can order ‘Warren’s Words’ from your local, independent book stores, or at amazon.com in paperback or Kindle editions. For more information on Dr Warren Blumenfeld go to warrenblumenfeld.com
ACCESSline Page 6
Section 1: News & Politics
AUGUST 2012
Minor Details by Robert Minor The Politics of Hopelessness, Skepticism and Dropping Out
Who can’t understand why people are frustrated, skeptical, fed up? We have two political parties with a monopoly on politics that are dominated by corporate interests. We often find ourselves voting for the least awful alternative, not a candidate who courageously champions our interests. We hear the label “liberal” used of people who barely lean left and often tilt to the right, who readily seem to cave in to the right-wing in order to get re-elected. We desperately want to believe in someone. So we scrounge around like abused spouses clinging to anything that tells us they’re for us, but that their critics don’t understand. We make excuses for their failures to stand boldly against the opposition. We tell ourselves to be realists because it’s really, really, really the best they can accomplish “given the state of politics.” Such feelings are widespread. In terms of the corporate world, for example, a recently released Gallup poll conducted in 2011 indicates that about two in three adults worldwide believe corruption is “widespread” in the businesses in their countries. This belief ranges from 60% in the U.S. and Canada to a high of 76% in sub-Saharan Africa, tending to be higher in lower income regions. Though American mythology wants us to accept that those at the top of our indus-
tries have somehow risen like cream due to moral superiority, most people know better than to buy that. In 2001 the U.S. was perceived as the 16th least corrupt country in the world whereas in 2011 we are viewed as 24th. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index now ranks New Zealand and Denmark as numbers 1 and 2, with Canada tenth and the U.S. 24th right behind Chile and Qatar. Meanwhile, the establishment’s desire to suppress the voices it doesn’t want heard takes many forms. We see it in the suppression of voting with voter ID laws of those who are unlikely to support corporate takeover of the government. We see it in reports of voting machine fraud. But the most insidious method of suppression of opposition is to convince us that there is no hope, to encourage us to repeat the mantra that it doesn’t matter. As poet, essayist, novelist, activist Audre Lorde wrote: “That you can’t change City Hall is a rumor being spread by City Hall.” You hear this in people giving up, claiming “politicians are all the same,” or griping: “they’re all crooked.” You see it in those that won’t even vote and those who refuse even to think about the politics that are emptying their pocketbooks. You hear it in young people who say: “I
don’t expect Social Security to be available by the time I retire.” And you want to tell them: “Why doesn’t that get you so angry that you’re ready to burn down every radio station that plays the oldies to which generations collecting it nostalgically listen?” When we hear this, we confront exactly what the right-wing wants—people whose energy, time, donations, and actions could change things who won’t get involved. That silence and paralysis is actually a vote for the right-wing’s agenda. As Paul Weyrich, co-founder of the ultraconservative Heritage Foundation as well as the Moral Majority explained to a 1980 Dallas religious rightwing gathering: “I don’t want everybody to vote… As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.” Additionally, to suppress further activism, if you can ensure that the economic rewards system for the 99% involves jobs that deplete all their energy, time, and strength, if you can make their work stressful and insecure enough, if you can create the necessity for overtime and multiple jobs, then you can ensure that people will be too exhausted to get involved. And if you can get them to blame each other for the problems the 99% experience daily, you can keep them at each other’s throats so they won’t work together for change. As historian Howard Zinn wrote of the mythological “unity” that is supposed to be the U.S. in his conclusion to A People’s History of the United States (1995): “It is important for them [“the Establishment – that uneasy club of business executives, generals and politicos”] also to make sure this artificial unity of highly privileged and slightly privileged is the only unity—that the 99 percent remain split in countless ways, and turn against one another to vent their angers.” Blame the poor for the taxes levied on the middle class to bring the poor relief to build resentment on top of humiliation. Blame LGBT people for the problems of American families caused by culturally-hyped consumerism, keeping parents over-worked, and increasing
But the most insidious method of suppression of opposition is to convince us that there is no hope, to encourage us to repeat the mantra that it doesn’t matter.
Robert N. Minor, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas, is author of When Religion Is an Addiction; Scared Straight: Why It’s So Hard to Accept Gay People and Why It’s So Hard to Be Human and Gay & Healthy in a Sick Society. Contact him at www.FairnessProject.org. economic insecurity, and ensuring that we have worse social and economic safety nets than in most advanced societies. It took the Occupy movement to focus political discussion to income inequality from the distractions about government deficits, giving us an understanding of what “the 99%” means and how out of touch that other 1% can be. That didn’t arise directly from the Democratic Party, much less the Republicans. And it will take involved individuals— not those who are lost in their skepticism or caught up in complaining and spreading their negativity on to others—to make a difference. It will take those who are willing to embrace hope to pass that hope along to those who have opted out hopelessly. One doesn’t have to turn into a happy, clappy optimist. I’m certainly not that. But we can decide to stop what is hurting us. We can choose to act on hope. We can join movements of people whom we may now write off as utopian. We can choose not to support the nay-sayers. Hopelessness is a feeling, while hope is a choice. We can think, act and decide to free ourselves from letting regressive forces control our thoughts and lives. This will have to be a choice we make over and over again, because the system continues to do everything it can to get us lost in hopelessness.
Section 1: News & Politics
AUGUST 2012
ACCESSline Page 7
Irony of Priorities by Tony E. Hansen There is nothing more telling about political priorities than seeing a new stadium being built for a professional sports team. When Major League Baseball began its season this year, another team opened with a brand new ball park in Miami. The new stadiums, or renovations, are dazzling displays and bring the “experience” of the game to a whole new dimension. There is an awful, if not, uncanny irony in the priorities that were considered around the new stadiums. This grand experience comes with a rise in tickets prices, and this comes while critical public services are being defunded. One irony is, in the particular example of Miami, how the city is still facing major foreclosure problems and unemployment. Consider the massive investments that private and public institutions made in the new ball park while public schools are facing budgetary shortfalls. Consider that billion dollar investment while roads go unrepaired, cops cannot get gear, or teachers get salaries cut. This was a point made by former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura when reporters asked if he would support new stadiums for the Twin Cities professional teams. The logic of the question seemed consistent with the fact that Mr. Ventura was a professional athlete before being governor, but Mr. Ventura had the good sense to realize that there are more
critical things to consider in the budget than entertainment venues. Another irony is the price of tickets does not go down after this major investment in a larger venue (despite having more available seating), but instead, the price to watch these games also rises (both the ticket as well as the concessions). A family of four can easily wind up spending over $200 per game and still have to use binoculars to watch the game. If you want to watch at field level, the price rises exponentially (New York Yankees price some of these seats around $2000 each). If you are a family of means, this may not be an issue, but with a game that is supposedly considered the “national pastime”, it is clear that many Americans are not able to afford the experience. If one thinks about this a bit, this may imply and reveal that the owners of the teams are completely disconnected from what is available to the many Americans. Maybe this reflects an interest, by the wealthier among us, to segregate society between those who have and those who do not. We see yet another irony in these cases where the investment for ballparks involves the limited time of the sports season where supposed tourism will be concentrated. For NFL football, there are 10 home games (MLB has 81 home games) not including
The masses have been willing to approve tax supported measures to improve these big arenas or build new ones while they reject tax measures for schools, prisons or revitalization projects.
any playoffs, and we are to justify the civic expense because of the estimated tourism and revenues brought in because of these few games. Thus, commercial interests can plan on having business related to the games at least 10 to 81 days out of 365 days. There must be some serious business that is accumulated during those days that the rest of the year is not considered. In parallel, we see significant donations from private donors to political campaigns that waste considerable money on a limited time political campaign in order to keep these same people from paying their fair share in taxes that would benefit the whole public (far beyond the campaign season). Interestingly though, the masses have been willing to approve tax supported measures to improve these big arenas or build new ones while they reject tax measures for schools, prisons or revitalization projects. For example, Jackson County Missouri approved beautiful upgrades to Kansas City’s stadiums but balked at sales tax increase to improve Kansas City public schools. All the while, the owners still need the masses in order to profit from the tickets and concessions at the stadiums, regardless of how smart the masses are.
Tony E Hansen is a web developer, organizer, researcher, writer, martial artist, and vocalist from Des Moines. For more information go to tigersndragons.com. In these cases, the wealthy owners are looking for financial support from the community to off-load some of the costs. This is little different than Wal-Mart requiring the city to provide new infrastructure to be built in order for a new store to be built. However,
TTTONY HANSEN continued page 30
Chick-Fil-A: Why you should give a cluck by Jennifer Miller/ Julius Fever of the I.C. Kings
customers were unaware of their donation history until recently. When consumers are made aware, they can make informed choices. Supporters of equality must raise their voices, shed light on anti-gay money trails, and make a difference by refusing to contribute our dollars to their hate-propagating causes. Of course, you do not have to be an activist to make a statement. Let your money speak for you Jennifer Miller with Hannah Rounds and two passers-by. by boycotting businesses whose views you do not support. Photo courtesy of Kristin Wood. We are not going to affect Why should anyone care if the president the beliefs of the Cathy family, but we can affect of Chick-Fil-A, Dan Cathy, said we are “inviting their profit margin. It will be a wake-up call God’s judgment on our nation” by legalizing to businesses watching, that their consumers same sex marriage? He’s entitled to free are paying attention. Let our patronage control speech and this is a familiar refrain. What’s where the money flows and let’s keep it out of the big deal about this guy? The big deal is that the hands of those who oppose equal rights. money speaks louder than words. This is not an attack on religion or freedom of The Cathy family not only spews anti-gay speech—this is an exercise of the civil rights rhetoric, they also fund it. They are entitled that have been accorded to us and a pursuit of to spend their money as they like, but so are those that remain just beyond our grasp. all of the Americans that do not want their money funding anti-gay groups—groups such as the Marriage & Family Foundation (defender of “traditional” marriage, fighter of LGBT anti-discrimination laws) and Exodus International (aims to help gays lead repressed straight-acting lives). Chick-Fil-A, through their charitable arm, WinShape (founded/funded by the Cathy family), has donated an estimated $5 million to anti-gay groups between 2003 and 2010. However, since CFA is a private business and Photo courtesy of Kristin Wood. does not release tax documents, most of their
ACCESSline Page 8
Section 1: News & Politics
AUGUST 2012
Remarkables by Jonathan Wilson Progressives Revisit Paul Revere
Organizationally, progressive groups, with diverse but often overlapping missions, tend to be fairly independent. Understandably, such groups don’t want to share the names of contributors or their membership mailing lists. And they shouldn’t. They like not to offend, and they like the idea of collaboration. They don’t tend to march in lock-step like our detractors have been more successful doing. They have preferred to strive for unanimity before taking collective action, or go it alone. That, obviously, stifles collaboration among natural allies and minimizes their political effectiveness. The organizational solution is the Paul Revere Project being sponsored by Progress Iowa. The Paul Revere Project provides progressive organizations with a mechanism for more effective advocacy and collaborative actions. It is a purely voluntary initiative organized around a Steering Committee made up of one representative from each participating organization. The Steering Committee convenes on-call, usually telephonically, for the purpose of: (1) identifying and prioritizing issues confronting progressives and progressive causes and, selectively, (2) identifying a strategic response. Both are determined by a majority vote of participating Steering Committee members. The Steering Committee will not endorse candidates
for elective office. Issues to be considered by the Steering Committee will be suggested by member organizations and selected by the Progress Iowa Director and an Agenda Advisory Panel established by the Progress Iowa Board of Directors. A member organization is not bound by decisions of the Steering Committee; is not bound by the vote of their representative on the Steering Committee; and each organization, using its customary decisionmaking processes, will make an independent decision about whether or not to participate in the recommended strategy. If the decision is made to do so, each participating organization will relay to its members and supporters both the issue and the Steering Committee’s recommended response. This approach enables the prioritization of issues challenging progressives and progressive causes; facilitates a thoughtful collaborative response; and, ultimately, generates more focus and more participation among like-minded citizens than has been possible in the past. We all recall that, having determined the British plans thanks to a signal from a church steeple, Paul Revere made his ride, warned the colonists, and called to arms
those willing and able. “We’re taking on our oppressors at Lexington and Concord. If you’re with us, be there, and come willing to fight,” was Revere’s call to arms. Not everyone responded supportively who heard Paul Revere’s warning about what the British were planning, and what was proposed to be done about it. Some may not have agreed with the Revolution; some may have thought it would have been preferable to fight the British closer to Pittsburgh; some may not have been able to find a musket; and some may have been too cowardly. But, because of his ride, his cry of alarm, and his call to form up at Lexington and Concord, more like-minded folks showed up than otherwise would have and the rest, as they say, is history. And so it will be also for the Paul Revere Project. Many progressive organizations have already signed on, including the First Friday Breakfast Club. We’re in this together and, together, we can impact the political debate and contribute to positive outcomes for everyone. For more information or a membership sign-up form, contact the Paul Revere Project of Progress Iowa, PO Box 548, Des Moines, Iowa 50302 (515-423-0530) (matt@progressiowa.org).
After Sandy resigned from the position of Executive Director in late fall, and a new Board of Directors formed that following spring, and asked Amber Miller to take over as Executive Director, the Des Moines Pride Center was born. Over these past few months of financial insecurity, no steady support staff, the building that housed the Des Moines Pride Center being sold, and then turned into a parking lot…well, you can see why it’s temporarily in the One Iowa offices. And desperately needs your help... now, more than ever. And here’s why: The 2012 LGBT Community Center Survey Report: Assessing the Capacity and Programs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centers surveyed 79 LGBT community centers nationwide. Centers showed good revenue growth over the past two years, resulting in combined 2011 revenue of $106.8 million. However, centers remain thinly staffed, with almost one in five relying on no paid staff at all. Clients & Diversity LGBT community center clientele is diverse and often not specifically served by community centers that serve larger local populations: 86% of LGBT community centers offer specific programming for transgender people, 86% for LGBT youth, 73% for LGBT older adults and 62% LGBT people of color. LGBT community center patrons are
racially and ethnically diverse, with 40% of centers reporting that more than half of their patrons identify as people of color. “In many regions, community centers are the only resource where LGBT community members can access not only indispensable services but also break isolation and build a network of support,” said Terry Stone, Executive Director of CenterLink. “This report surfaces how centers serve the most vulnerable members of our communities, especially LGBT youth, and enrich the lives of LGBT people in multifaceted ways.” Services & Programs In many regions, local LGBT centers are the only organizations serving the LGBT community, offering a variety of much-needed resources including: Physical and Mental Health Programs: Large centers spent approximately one-quarter of their 2011 budgets on physical and mental health programs, including general health and wellness programs, health and mental health care referrals, STI and HIV/AIDS-related programming, and facilitated support groups. I n fo r m a t i o n a n d E d u c a t i o n Programs: Centers provide patrons with a variety of informational and educational resources, and 71% have in-house libraries. In response to the economic downturn, one-quarter of centers offer directories of local jobs and employment counseling or job training. Legal Services and Programs: While two-thirds of centers provide LGBTfriendly legal referrals, only 20% provide direct legal assistance such as legal docu-
The Paul Revere Project provides progressive organizations with a mechanism for more effective advocacy and collaborative actions.
Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor The Des Moines Pride Center Update
Over the past several months, I have received phone calls, e-mails, and been approached with questions about the Des Moines Pride Center, which is now located within the One Iowa offices. Here’s the story... Back in early 2010, I was approached by former Executive Director of The Center, Sandy Vopalka, to join her Board as a Special Event co-coordinator, and help her with funding, marketing, and creating visibility for “The Center”. At the time I was filming a pilot for a Marriage Equality show for cable television, based on my business “Gay Weddings with PANACHE”. However, we worked closely together, traveling to Washington, D.C. and even meetings in the West Wing. She helped groom and inspire me to join forces with Centerlink, the National LGBT Community Center, in Portland, Oregon. I traveled the state preparing to start “satellite” LGBTQ Centers, meeting folks from all four corners of Iowa. (And spending quality time working with the awesome Dean Genth, in Mason City, as well.) I am grateful to Sandy for helping me become the best LGBT activist I could be, and to Centerlink for guiding me—to believe in the best for our LGBT community here in Iowa. (AND, they still have our backs...)
Centers serve the most vulnerable members of our communities, especially LGBT youth, and enrich the lives of LGBT people in multifaceted ways.
Jonathan Wilson is an attorney at the Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines, and chairs the First Friday Breakfast Club (ffbciowa.org), an educational, non-profit corporation for gay men in Iowa who gather on the first Friday of every month to provide mutual support, to be educated on community affairs, and to further educate community opinion leaders with more positive images of gay men. It is the largest breakfast club in the state of Iowa. He can be contacted at JonathanWilson@DavisBrownLaw.com.
Beau Fodor, E-3 Hospital Corpsman in 1984, before his Honorable Discharge He is also owner of PANACHE, is an Iowa wedding planner who focuses specifically on weddings for the LGBT community. He can be reached at iowasgayweddingplanner.com or his blog PANACHE Points. ment preparation. Social and Recreational Programs: LGBT community centers provide patrons with opportunities to socialize and connect with other LGBT people. Community Outreach and Civic Engagement: LGBT community centers provide referrals to LGBT-friendly local resources such as schools and healthcare providers. Half of centers (51%) also engage directly in policy work, including public education efforts and partnerships with local LGBT and allied organizations
TTJUST SAYIN’ cont’d page 29
AUGUST 2012
Section 1: News & Politics
ACCESSline Page 9
Digging Deeper interview by Amber Dunham
In 2010, high school student Amber Dunham participated in a class assignment to ask someone 20 questions for an LGBT essay. The person Amber chose to ask was Alexis, a transgendered woman from the Iowa City area. This is the second portion of The Interview and will include questions from several individuals. Most of these people have already read
the first interview, and I have asked them to think about more questions they might want answers to. Some are again from Amber. Some of the other questions have simply unintentionally come up in ordinary conversations with people and were completely unplanned or unsolicited, but I consider them worthy of additional comment. Others simply seek more in-depth information on one of the previous 20 questions. Any questions or comments for Alexis can be sent care of this publication to Editor@ACCESSlineIOWA.com. 6) It would seem to me that the transformational surgeries are the easy part of transitioning. How difficult was it for you to make the mental transition? When you say that the physical surgeries are the easy part of transitioning, you are actually very right. If you think back to the comment I made in the first segment when I was asked, what I would tell someone else who wanted to transition? My response was “think about it…” When you transition from one role to another, it is much more than simply wearing the clothing of the chosen gender. And the transition involves not only your mental state, but your emotional and spiritual self also…and it is not something you can prepare for in a few days or a week or even a month. It is a process that provides you an opportunity to become the person you always knew you were. Because of the challenges of the triple transition, the requirement for a certain amount of counseling by psychiatrists and psychologists trained in gender issues exists. You need to have a plan; you need to be prepared. The counseling sessions help you prepare for that. Earlier I stated that I personally did not have this formal evaluation by the shrinks. My SRS surgeon accepted letters from several of my regular physicians attesting to my suitability for the SRS surgery. Did that make it more difficult for me to transition? I can’t answer that realistically. In my case, I knew that I had felt that I should be a female for many, many years. Did I know I would be successful in the role of a female? No, I did not, but I knew I had to give it a try, and I knew that making this attempt would in no way cause me any more stress and anxiety than I already felt. I personally feel confident that all of the discussions I had over the years with the many counselors at various crisis centers helped me immensely. I also gained a lot of information from a chat room I frequented
for many years because many of the members there were patient and tolerant of my fears and frustrations, and provided me very good feedback. Two of the members who had big influences on me, Beverly and Samantha, were from England and both had undergone the surgery and helped mentor me in many ways. There were members there from many other countries that were at varying stages of coping with their gender dysphoria, who also contributed a lot of feedback. In the end, however, it was all up to me to survive or fail, and fortunately I was able to be fairly successful in my transition. The more major challenges that people normally have to deal with when they transition come from within themselves. As I referred to earlier, you need to have the confidence and “street smarts” to pull this thing off. Some of the challenges one can face includes loss of job, negative reactions or even loss of family and friends, inability to make enough money in their new role, and even the realization that you simply were not prepared for this, or even that you went ahead for the wrong reasons. I have no concept of how much being prepared to live in your new gender affects the success of the transition, but I do assume it is significant. When I first made the move, despite feeling positive and confident about it, I was still not where I likely should have been mentally and emotionally, because for the first several weeks I always felt the people were staring at me…and maybe they were, for lack of confidence in and comfort with who you are can cause that to happen. As the novelty of my new life began to wear off, and my confidence rose, the stares, be they real or imagined, slowly disappeared. The critical first thing I had going for me when I transitioned was the confidence that I was basically ready for the change. I had done enough research to understand that reactions from my family, friends and
employer may not be positive and supportive. But I was going ahead with the resolve that I would somehow find a way to succeed. Was I afraid? Yes, but I knew that I was not going to go back to living as a male again. Fear about what others might think had kept me from doing anything about my feelings for many years, and I suffered mentally and emotionally because of my reluctance and presumed fears. Now it was time to worry about me first. Another positive that I felt helped prepare me was simply that I had been watching and studying people, especially girls, for many years. I watched what they wore, I watched their makeup, I watched their mannerisms, their demeanor, listened to the conversations—and I filed the information. I adapted what I had learned from not only watching them, but reading women’s magazines into my new life. I knew how not to dress. And I worked on improving my feminine skills every day. I still do that to this day. Yet perhaps the critical driver for my transition came through the use of an unorthodox method of preparation designed to provide me the courage, strength and nerve to proceed. Previously I had mentioned that I spent far too much time worrying about what others might think if I did begin to live as a girl. Because of that, I had a major struggle to move beyond that point in my life, even though I had begun to realize that it was how I personally felt that was really the more important concern. It was as if I was stuck at a moment in time and was unable to take the big step. I was simply treading water without making any progress toward what I wanted to do Luckily for me, at that time I worked with a rather extraordinary individual who was an avid reader, highly intelligent, and was blessed with a photographic memory. He also had several other very interesting and
extraordinary talents and abilities that I am still amazed at today. We shared a fascination for the unknown and the unorthodox, and often discussed topics from a late night radio show that featured guests with a variety of knowledge of and interest in the unknown. We used to record the programs on a tape recorder with a timer that we kept in the office, and then listen to them again later. As we re-listened to a certain program one day, which featured discussion on mental programming by certain governmental agencies, I brought the discussion around to me, and we began to discuss ho w the knowledge behind this programming could be applied to me in order to give me the desire to jump to the next level of my life. We discussed, planned and experimented over a period of about four months, and by then the progress was obvious, yet I was still not quite ready. One day in the late afternoon, he said something to me about my reluctance to move ahead, and it really irritated me. I walked out of the office and went to my apartment, yet as I sat there and thought about what he had said, I knew that it was finally time for me to write my letter to everyone and let them know what I was going to do. As I reflect on the past, I wonder just where I would be now without the help of that individual. I actually have no real idea of what he did to make it work so well, since the agreement up front was that I was not to know the wording, but I am certainly happy with the assistance. Though I still had a certain level of mental and emotional challenges when I first transitioned and I know that whatever he did, it made the entire process easier, faster and likely more successful. I will always be grateful to him, for he helped me in so many ways. It is a shame we do not see each other anymore, but I am writing it here since there may be a chance that it will be read by him.
The Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act marks a critical victory for the health of all Americans. Because of this landmark decision, millions of women, men and families will have access to affordable, quality health care—many who previously had inadequate coverage or no coverage at all. We are closer than ever to having access to quality health care for all. At Planned Parenthood, we understand how this law will have an unprecedented effect on the health of our community. More than half of our patients are at or below federal poverty level. The Affordable Care Act will ensure that everyone, regardless of financial status, will have access to all the services they need at a price they can afford. Basic preventive care, including STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, annual checkups, HIV testing, the HPV vaccine, birth control and more, will be available without a co-pay. Accessing these
fundamental services is the best way to control your personal health. Many risk factors leading to illness can be detected early on. Annual screenings and testing is pivotal to good health. The ACA will also help eliminate discrimination among insurance providers. A person will no longer be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. Everyone will have access to the same insurance choices and opportunities for coverage; providing new options for affordable health care. Most importantly, this new law gives each of us the power to make our own health decisions without facing limiting barriers. A person will no longer have to worry about the expense of basic preventive health care on an already stretched budget. A family will have options on who they choose as a provider. A young adult will be able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan for an extended period of time while they build their independence.
This ruling is a victory for all women, men and families. Millions of people will have access to health insurance for the first time. Here in Iowa, it is anticipated that more than half of those currently uninsured will have coverage within two years. Because this landmark law has been upheld you have the opportunity to control your personal health. We have the chance to do even more for the women, men and families in our community in the months and years ahead. Jill June, President and CEO Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, has been president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland since 1985, which operates 34 health centers in Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Before joining Planned Parenthood, Jill was executive director of the Family Planning Council of Iowa, an umbrella funding organization for reproductive health care services in Iowa. Jill has held numerous national leadership positions, including
serving on the board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.
Affordable Care Act by PPH CEO Jill June
ACCESSline Page 10
Section 1: News & Politics
AUGUST 2012
Boy Scouts Demand Moral and Sexual Straightness by Warren J. Blumenfeld “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” Boy Scout Law “On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” Boy Scout Oath Well, it seems that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has reaffirmed not merely its moral straightness, but sexual and gender straightness as well, for no gay, bisexual, or transgender scouts (youth members) or scouters (adult leaders) will even be considered for membership in the organization. According to their past position on homosexuality: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed….” No one is advocating same-sex sexual conduct between scouts or between scout leaders and scouts. Their position statement, however, confuses conduct with identity since the organization rejects membership also in terms of one’s identity. The BSA policy could be considered as its “Tell, because we will ask, and if you don’t tell, we will pursue” policy. Actually, no atheist or agnostic need apply either since the Boy Scouts of America “Anthem” proclaims that “The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God….The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members.” In June of 2010, the Chief Scout Executive and national president, Bob Mazzuca,
convened a special eleven-member committee to evaluate the “anti-homosexual” policy for the purpose of determining whether it was in the best interests of the organization. The committee recommended that the policy continue. It concluded that the policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA membership. Mazzuca announced in a written statement on July 17, 2012 that “The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation with their family, with spiritual advisers, and at the appropriate time and in the right setting. While a majority of our membership agrees with our policy, we fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society.” No one is disputing parents’ and guardians’ “right to address issues of same-sex orientation with their family [and] with spiritual advisers.” Allowing gay, bisexual, and transgender scouts and leaders in the organization does not infringe on parents’ and guardians’ rights and abilities to discuss issues. In addition, since the organization comprises an estimated 2.7 million youth members ages 7 to 21 plus another million volunteers in local councils throughout the U.S., I question whether BSA leadership actually undertook a scientifically valid and reliable poll of its full membership. Instead, eleven members of this “special committee” met secretly behind closed doors. The United States Supreme Court in 2000 affirmed BSA’s right as a private organization to bar anyone, including gay, bisexual, and transgender scouts and scouters from membership under the First Amendment’s
“freedom of association” clause when “the presence of that person affects in a significant way the group’s ability to advocate public or private viewpoints.” The justices ruled that since BSA opposes homosexuality as part of its “expressive message,” allowing homosexuals into the organization would interfere with that message. The case involved an assistant scoutmaster, James Dale, a student at Rutgers University and co-president of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance, who attended a forum in 1990 on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health issues. He was interviewed for a local newspaper in which he came out as gay. Boy Scouts officials read the article, and notified Dale that he had been terminated from his position. Dale won his case in the New Jersey Supreme Court, but the U.S. high court overturned the lower decision in favor of the defendants: the BSA. Recently the BSA has asked Jennifer Tyrrill, lesbian mom and scout leader of her son Cruz’s den, to leave her post because as reported, she did not “meet the high standards of membership that the Boy Scouts of America seek.” What “high standards” has Tyrrill not met? Over the past year, while serving as den leader, the cubs in her den volunteered at a local soup kitchen, collected canned goods for neighboring churches to distribute in food baskets, and performed a conservation project at a state park. The Girl Scouts of America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America organizations proudly welcome and appreciate members and leaders of all sexual and gender identities. The Girl Scouts, for example, has, indeed, fulfilled its own written promises
Entertainment’s Smack Down announcer, which makes his anti-gay rants sound all the more over the top. “[Bob Jones] had a vision in 1989 of a fist wave of homosexuals coming to Christ. 100,000 would be just the first wave, and it would come suddenly. I dreamed of this before,” he told the enthusiastic audience. Now, we all know who Bob Jones is, right? Of Bob Jones University fame? Where you can basically get a diploma in gay bashing? So to be clear, Jones had a vision and then Engle had a dream of this vision. Far out, man. In this vision/dream/fantasy, Engle sees this army of gays and lesbians, converted by God to be “normal,” like, you know, him, and that these people would “begin to be the preachers of righteousness in their own communities with radical salvations and healings of AIDS.” The young audience likes this idea very much. They cheer. Because we all know how
much conservatives love outsourcing. Engle continues, “This is the issue of your day. You know it. Something goes off in your heart when you touch this one. Because this is the heart of God.” Really? Of all the issues facing young people in this country, “fixing” gay people is really priority #1? I mean, if you ask yourself “What would Jesus do,” I don’t think Jesus would be all, “Screw the poor, let’s straighten out some queers.” “Would you raise your voices and begin to pray?” Engle urges, “God give us 100,000 gay and lesbian men and women to be radically transformed! Begin to pray it in your youth groups. Begin to pray it in your schools, pray it in your devotions. We’re asking God! Loose a movement—a divine breakthrough! 100,000 gay and lesbian men and women! Loose a sound that D.C. can’t contend with! Loose a sound that the media can’t contend with! Overflow the media with the sound of revival.”
Allowing gay, bisexual, and transgender scouts and leaders in the organization does not infringe on parents’ and guardians’ rights and abilities to discuss issues.
Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski
Of all the issues facing young people in this country, “fixing” gay people is really priority #1?
Lou Engle The zombie apocalypse is coming. Or, more specifically, the ex-gay zombie apocalypse. In Lou Engle’s dreams at least. Literally. Speaking recently to a group of teen and young adult anti-gay Christians, Engle, founder of TheCall, a ministry for young people, shared his fever-dream/psychotic fantasy. I should mention that Engle has the perfect voice to be a World Wrestling
Warren J. Blumenfeld is associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He is editor of Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price (Beacon Press), and co-editor of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge) and Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States (Sense). www.warrenblumenfeld.com and laws “to be Honest and Fair, Friendly and Helpful, Considerate and Caring, Courageous and Strong, and Responsible.”
But how can a boy scout or scout leader truly adhere to the Boy Scout Law of being “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent” when the BSA clings to its blatantly prejudicial, discriminatory, and quite frankly, offensive “expressive message” on issues of sexual identity? I have made a commitment since the Boys Scouts of America v. Dale Supreme Court decision to refrain from donating money to the United Way until and unless it stops funding the BSA and directs pressure on the organization to change its policies. I would welcome a national response opposing BSA’s current policy in the form of a letter writing campaign, boycott of funds, and for those so inclined, abandonment of the organization as scouts and as leaders until BSA joins with other youth organizations to honor and cherish diversity of the human experience and of the human spirit.
Unfortunately, I don’t think Engle has thought this one through. It’s a very impractical plan. First of all, there’s the whole ex-gay thing and how that doesn’t actually work. Even the “ex-gay” group Exodus International disavows the concept saying, basically, that you can’t scrub or pray the gay away, but you can be celibate. Which is not the same thing. Hence the zombie reference. And if all it took was a bunch of antigay Christians to pray their hardest to make homos un-homo, then this bastion of “cured” zombies would already be roaming the streets curing AIDS and stuff. The crowd listening to Engle’s message is a big one, and enthusiastic to boot. They literally rock back and forth, trembling with enthusiasm. It’s, well, kind of weird. As a commenter on YouTube put it, “Why are the people in the audience and background bobbing and weaving like that, do they all have some kind of inner ear problems? I would think that they’d want to heal their balance issues before rushing off and trying to tackle AIDS. In other words, glass houses? Stones, anyone?
ACCESSline’s fun guide
Our Picks for August
Moving On Up Interview by Chris Azzopardi
8/3, The Iowa State Bar Association, Des Moines, Iowa, Red Hot Party, aidsprojectci.org 8/3, The Garden Nightclub, Des Moines, Iowa, Mr & Miss Capital City Iowa USofA, missgayiowa.com 8/5, The Max, Omaha, Nebraska, Mr Max 21 Contest, TheMaxOmaha.com 8/8, Ames Public Library, Ames, Iowa, Community
Forum On Modernizing Iowa’s HIV “Criminal Transmission” Statute, Page 1 8/11, McElroy Auditorium, Waterloo, Iowa, Cedar River Rumble, CVDerbyDivas.com 8/14, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, NOH8 Photo Shoot, NOH8Campaign.com
8/16, Countryside Community Church, Omaha, Nebraska, NOH8 Photo Shoot, NOH8Campaign.com 8/18, Downtown, Waterloo, Iowa, Cedar Valley Pridefest, cedarvalleypride.com & Page 36 8/18, Covell Lake, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sioux Falls PRIDE, facebook.com/sioux.f.pride 8/18, East Village, Davenport, Iowa, Wine Walk, visitquadcities.com 8/19, The Duluth Depot, Duluth, Minnesota, NOH8 Photo Shoot, NOH8Campaign.com 8/21, Omaha Performing Arts Center, Omaha, Nebraska, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, omahaperformingarts.org 8/22, Rochester Marriott, Rochester, Minnesota, NOH8 Photo Shoot, NOH8Campaign.com 8/24, Blazing Saddle, Des Moines, Iowa, Mr & Miss East Village Iowa USofA, missgayiowa.com 8/26, Attitudes Nightclub, Saint Louis, Missouri, Miss Gay Midwest America 2012, missgayamerica.com
...and September
9/1-2, Upper City Park, Iowa City, Iowa, Iowa Women’s Music Festival, Page 2 9/7, The Garden Nightclub, Des Moines, Iowa, Mr & Miss Cosmopolitan Iowa USofA, MissGayIowa.com 9/8, Kings & Queens, Waterloo, Iowa, Mr & Miss Kings & Queens Iowa USofA, MissGayIowa.com 9/9, Connections Nightclub, Davenport, Iowa, Miss Goddess Iowa USofA, MissGayIowa.com 9/14-29, Des Moines, Iowa, ArtStop, ArtStopInfo.org 9/22, Holiday Inn Downtown, Des Moines, Iowa, Imperial Court of Iowa Coronation XX, ImperialCourtofIowa.org
Travis Wall. Courtesy of Anderson Group Public Relations.
Dance prodigy Travis Wall talks new series, his first big movie and the challenge for gay dancers So he thought he could dance, and he can, but Travis Wall didn’t stop there. Now, the 24-year-old has his own dance company, a start-up that’s the focus of Oxygen’s new reality series, All the Right Moves. The eight-episode stint follows Wall and his bendy buddies—Teddy Forance, Nick Lazzarini and Kyle Robinson—as they go through business challenges, power struggles and friendship drama. We caught up with the So You Think You Can Dance contestant-turned-choreographer, who dished on his roommates, his first big movie and why gay dancers shouldn’t dance gay. What’s it like living with these guys? We’ve been living together for two
years now and it’s been something else! (Laughs) We’re brothers from another mother, and we go through life together and support each other. Two are gay and two are straight on this show, so it’s cool to see how we live as one and how it doesn’t really matter. Who’s the most competitive? We’re never really up for the same job, but it does get a little competitive in the house sometimes. The messiest? In the beginning we were all pretty good about keeping it together, but everyone kind of gave up. Right now my room is such a mess because I’m always trying to clean up the kitchen and the living room. When I have time to clean, I have to clean up everybody else’s mess. Kyle’s the handyman. He’s the guy who, like, fixes the lights. (Laughs) Is All the Right Moves actually reality? It’s our lives. (The network is) a fly on the wall. We’d have a dance company regardless of whether we have a TV show or not. What will surprise people about the dance world that you guys are living in during this show? What we have to go through starting this dance company from the ground up with no money—you see the whole process. We have this huge goal but absolutely no way of getting it done. I saw the first episode—it’s so surreal. I was biting my nails. It’s definitely suspenseful and emotional and also there’s beautiful dancing. You get everything in one little package. It’s really good TV. How much of your relationship with Dom Palange will be part of the show? Not as much as I wanted to be, because he’s in Miami. It’s long distance. He comes in halfway through the season,
We’re brothers from another mother, and we go through life together and support each other.
Travis Wall. Courtesy of Oxygen.
TTMOVING ON UP cont’d page 23
The Fun Guide
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AUGUST 2012
Wired This Way by Rachel Eliason
Looking for ways to keep cool? Google “241543903”
It’s mid-July as I am writing this and already we have had one of the hottest summers on record. It occurs to me that it’s just too freaking hot for a serious article. For those of you hiding in the air conditioning trying to beat the heat I offer a short collection of memes, code tricks and general wackiness that is the World Wide Web. Here are two things you need to know. The Internet was created by geeks. Geeks have a strange sense of humor. If you doubt this, go to Google and type in “Askew”. Watch the title bar at the top. See what I mean? Now think about this, some Google engineer probably spent hours of their work time writing the code that does that. Did you know that if you typed @ [240908886010500:0] into the comments section of Facebook and it will say “I kissed a girl and I liked it”? Go ahead and try it. The year of your birth also has a name. Just type @[1970:0] and see what comes up. It’s Facebook magic. The codes are actually fairly easy to create. The code is a short cut (only a computer programmer would describe a long string of numbers as a short cut) to tag people. @[“anyone’s profile ID”:0] tags that person. So find a page, group or profile you want to tag. Look up in the address bar to get their ID number. For example there is a page “David Beckham is Hot”. Up in the address bar we find: https://www.facebook. com/groups/183035675065637. Copy and paste the number “183035675065637” into our formula @[183035675065637:0]. Copy and paste the entire code into a Facebook comment and hit enter. Your friends will be amazed. (Alright, your geeky friends will be amazed. The rest of your friends will be amazed that you wasted so much time figuring this out.) Here’s another wacky thing you probably didn’t know Facebook could do. Go to account settings --> languages. Look closely at the options for English and select English (Pirate). This is perfect for national speak pirate day (which is September 19th by the
way). For the more land lubbing Facebook users there is also an option for English (upside down) as well as the international language of Esperanto. Of course what probably interests you more than the weird things that Facebook can do are the weird things you can do with Facebook. I am referring of course to Internet memes. According to Wikipedia, a meme is an idea, behavior or style that spreads across individuals in a culture. In social sciences a meme is basic unit of culture. The term would probably have remained an obscure word known only to a few academics if it weren’t for the Internet and social media. An Internet meme is an idea that is propagated through the web. They can take many forms, pictures, short sayings, web links, videos or some combination of any of them. In 2009 artist David Horvitz thought it would be interesting to link a random number to an equally random picture. He took a picture of himself with his head stuck in the freezer. He used the serial number on the fridge and the bar code numbers off a package of Soba noodles he found in his freezer to create the number. He posted his picture on Tumblr in April of 09 with the tag “241543903”. Hundreds of followers of his did the same and a meme was born. The head in the freezer meme is notable because it’s also a photo fad. Probably the most popular photo fad is planking, taking a picture of yourself lying stiff as a plank in some unusual spot. Be careful though, planking stunts have turned deadly in more than one instance. 20 year old Acton Beale of Australia plummeted to his death “planking” on a seventh story balcony. Most photo fads are every bit as juvenile and goofy as planking. There is Tebowing, taking your picture on bent knee like Tim Tebow. Owling, Batmanning, eating money, playing dead, and putting shoes on your head are just a few of photo fads that can be found on the website www.knowyourmeme.com. The sneaky hat fad, where people posted pictures of themselves naked, their naughty bits covered with a hat, ran afoul the authorities when it came out the Facebook page
Here are two things you need to know. The internet was created by geeks. Geeks have a strange sense of humor.
An example of an internet meme. Created by local LGBT artist London Ball.
creators, and most of the people pictured, were under-aged. Not all photo fads are juvenile however. LGBT activists harnessed the power of the photo fad with the NOH8 campaign. Started as a protest of California’s prop 8, the group supports LGBT equality. The NOH8 campaign posts pictures with protester’s mouths covered in duct tape and the logo NOH8 painted on one cheek. If want to make an official NOH8 portrait, they’ll even be in Iowa this month. August 14th at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa there will be a NOH8 photo shoot. Another class of photo memes is a series of photos relating to a specific theme. For those readers who have not heard of or wasted time on it, the comedy website www.icanhascheezburger.com contains one of the most complete galleries of photo memes in a variety of categories. “I can has cheezburger” refers to cute animal photos paired with sayings. Demotivational posters are bordered in black to mimic the motivational posters of the eighties, but with snarky saying underneath. Epic fails are just that, photos of spectacular failures. An L.A. weight loss center and a Dunkin Donuts side by side in a strip mall is one of my favorite Epic Fails. “There I fixed it” photos are either a testament to redneck ingenuity or an epic fail waiting to happen. The politically inclined might want to check out Teabonics. Teabonics is a visual celebration of the unique misspellings and grammar problems commonly found on signs at Tea Party rallies. Teabonics is a must if you want to keep informed about the Scholiast
Rachel Eliason is a forty two year old Transsexual woman. She was given her first computer, a Commodore Vic-20 when she was twelve and she has been fascinated by technology ever since. In the thirty years since that first computer she has watched in awe as the Internet has transformed the LGBT community. In addition to her column, Rachel has published a collection of short stories, Tales the Wind Told Me and is currently working on her debut novel, Run, Clarissa, Run. Rachel can be found all over the web, including on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Goodreads. threat or all the illegals at our borders. Like many of the memes discussed here Teabonics can be found at www.knowyourmemes.com or by searching “teabonics” on flickr or Facebook. There are a huge number of pride and
TTWIRED THIS WAY cont’d page 25
The Fun Guide
AUGUST 2012
ACCESSline Page 13
Magic Mike: An Aftertaste like Bad Porn by Heidi Cullinan This article has been rated PG-13 by the ACCESSline Editors. (Reposted from Coffee and Porn in the Morning) I saw Magic Mike a few weeks ago, and I regret to inform you that I find myself overall disappointed. It is not that the movie was terrible or that it was all bad, though in some ways this makes my reaction worse. The best thing I can come up with was that I felt snookered, which I guess was their point. It isn’t that I wanted to see more eye candy than I saw. It’s that the kind of candy I got wasn’t what I was hoping we’d get in a movie that had been billed as, “Come see the sexy boys.” Though once again, that was the movie’s message. We were supposed to come see the sexy, but only a certain kind in a certain way, and we were to leave with the firm message that even this kind of sexy isn’t actually the good kind. I know the life of stripping isn’t glamorous at all, that it’s hard and gritty and demeaning and has made every stripper I know twitch at the memory. If that had been the point, I might have been okay with it too, but that wasn’t what the movie trailers sold. The real story is both that between Mike and Brooke—it’s a romance, sort of, though mostly it’s Mike finding his way into the life he really wants—and the contrast between Mike and The Kid, Brooke’s little brother. Stripping is something Mike does for money so he can do the thing he really wants: make custom furniture. He gets The Kid involved largely to help him out, but The Kid gets into the life of a stripper in a big way, and it annoys Brooke, who blames Mike. They try to sell it as Brooke being the voice of reason, Mike’s call to growing up, but I don’t quite buy it. What Mike was really buying was not the life of easy money, girls, and drugs that The Kid bought into but rather the same fantasy as his customers: never get the payoff, get sold the glitz and glamor of sex without getting anything real. Get sold the veneer
of success and freedom without having it at all. It isn’t real, and it won’t ever be. There are about a billion flaws in that setup. First off, Mike totally could have saved up from his multiple jobs and gotten himself out, though he was stuck on a certain path. That part held true. He didn’t exactly fall into the lifestyle completely either. They kept saying that, but he held pretty true to himself most of the time, not getting himself in trouble, mostly being devil-may-care and impetuous. Which I guess for the producers is also Bad. I disagree of course, but I didn’t buy their lines no matter what. Mike was good at what he did wherever he did it, and I didn’t see that he had some kind of flaw keeping him back except that he was a little idealistic. What I really hated was that Brooke was just a representation of another dream: respectability. She wasn’t a nurse, she was a medical assistant. It was made clear this was a less-than job, but it was okay because she had a nice house and a nice life, even if she did have cheap, knockoff furniture. I would have been fine with her being someone okay with where she was in life, making her own happiness. But all we ever got from her was judgment sprinkled in with some sage advice about finding your true self, though mostly it was “you’re going the wrong way.” She didn’t so much as date him, let alone touch him or kiss him, until he made it clear he was done stripping, and then she was happy to take him to bed for seven hours until they went to have breakfast. In case we missed the good girl/bad girl setup, Olivia Munn appeared as the polyamorous, bisexual, cheating academic bitch who left Mike in the cold when he needed her. It was possible to read that maybe Munn’s character was practical where Mike was sentimental, but this, like reading Brooke as anything but a stock reprimand, was bringing one’s own story to the table. Mostly this was a tale of caution mixed in with some growing-up for Mike.
It was, really, like... bad porn. It was fun, and it was somewhat off the beaten path. Mostly, though, it left a bad aftertaste and made me want to go and find the good stuff.
The growing up was fine. The caution made me pissed. Maybe I made it up, but when I watched the trailer I saw an opportunity to see some of what I try to do on the blog I run with a fellow author, Coffee and Porn in the Morning, on the big screen. It wasn’t about being a voyeur. It wasn’t about titillation. It was about the freedom to go, yeah, baby, you’re hot and feel normal and un-judged. It was about the thrill of going to a goddamned movie that might for once feel like the kind of sexuality I get behind: open, easy, happy, clever, unique. It was about wanting to be present when mainstream culture finally took a turn toward progression with its presentation of men as sexual objects, men as a full spectrum of expression, men strong enough to appear vulnerable. None of these things happened. The bi/poly girl was a bitch. The ass-shots looked shoehorned with a side order of panic, and the (female, natch) tit shots were numerous, put in place it to normalize our sexual experience. HERE LOOK THERE ARE BREASTS IN A SEXY FILM FEEL BETTER NOW. The single peen shot I saw was an out-of-focus shot of a penis in a pump, there entirely for comic effect. The dancing was sexy, but it was entirely Hollywood’s standard concept of what sexy men should be. There may have been a few moments of something more, something new, something genuine. Mostly, though, it was as a friend of a friend tweeted along with a picture of a rooster: “This is more cock than you’ll see in Magic Mike:” My husband thinks I was a victim of my own idealism and wondered why I thought I’d get anything more from a Hollywood feature film. I suppose he’s right, but I’m still disappointed. Most of the people in my theater were too. They came for full frontal (and rear!) male nudity. Old and young— though many, many blue-hairs—they came to see the sexy. They got angry at the cutaways. They were pissed when they didn’t even get to see Brooke and Mike make out in their seven-hour sex-a-thon. They got up from their seats looking like I felt, as if they had been made fools of and cheated out of their money. I do think that was the point. We were supposed to Learn. We were supposed to be content with our teasing shots and swallow the reminder load of how sex and sexuality should be: monogamous, humble, and along the beaten path. Oh, and be straight, too. Not one of the strippers was gay, and the only gay rep (Munn) was Bad. Well, she was POLY. My God. This isn’t some hippie commie movie. Of course poly was bad! Give me a damn break. Before I wrote this review, I spent an hour uploading pics for the week on Coffee and Porn. I smiled over the picture of a young blond man engaged in natural sexual acts, submissive and vulnerable but not at all weak, looking proud and sexy and free. I
Heidi Cullinan has always loved a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. She enjoys writing across many genres but loves above all to write happy, romantic endings for LGBT characters because there just aren’t enough of those stories out there. When she isn’t writing, Heidi enjoys knitting, reading, movies, TV shows on DVD, and all kinds of music. She has a husband, a daughter, and too many cats. Find Heidi on the Web: Twitter, Facebook, WordPress, and her website heidicullinan.com. felt mushy over the trans pics, knowing they come from Tumblrs of people transitioning and being brave enough to share their progress and their happiness at their milestones, loving their new bodies enough to post them all over the Internet. I had my thrills at the Girls Too pics, continuing to make my own foray into what free female sexuality means to me. I enjoyed a lot of hot male sexuality too as I made my decisions about what would go up this week and what would wait. I slid into my own happy place as I sorted through my source sites, pulling this file and rejecting that one. It was hours and hours of sexual liberation. That’s what I thought I’d get out of Magic Mike. That’s what I assumed I’d get when they aimed a movie at gay men and straight women and lovers of free male form. I suppose I got some of it. I suppose I should have known that I wouldn’t get what I really wanted, that there was no way Hollywood would have let something like real male sexuality make it to the silver screen. And it wasn’t exactly an awful film. It was, really, like bad whiskey or a bad cigarette, or for a more local analogy, bad porn. It was fun, and it was somewhat off the beaten path. Mostly, though, it left a bad aftertaste and made me want to go and find the good stuff. We have more than enough film, television and books making anyone who doesn’t want whitewashed sexuality comb through in hopes of gleaning a gem or two and ignoring the jabs at our true selves. Isn’t it time for our feast? Unfortunately I didn’t find that banquet here.
It wasn’t about being a voyeur. It wasn’t about titillation. It was about the freedom to go, yeah, baby, you’re hot and feel normal and un-judged.
The Fun Guide
ACCESSline Page 14
Cocktail Chatter by Ed Sikov Whose Dumb Idea Was This Beach House?
It was well into June before Dan and I came to the distressing realization that we’d be short on housemates this season and would consequently take a big financial hit. Jack Fogg had broken up with Sammy; Sammy was rooming with the volleyball boys and Jack Fogg was doing the Hamptons. (Figures.) Phil Levine found us too boring and declared his intention to find someplace else to spend the summer; it turned out to be Malaysia. There was nothing to do about it at this point. Some of the old gang would return, but all as quarter shares, not half shares. Dan was taking it more in stride than I was, but then he’s a corporate guy and I’m a writer, so he can afford to be relaxed about money and I can’t. For reasons known only to God, I talked him into taking in a one-time-only boarder named—I am not kidding—Thor. Thor (it’s hard even to type it with a straight face) wanted to stay for a weekend only, so I said sure and Dan said (to me) “Are you out of your mind?” and I said “Yes” and Thor arrived and said, “Hallo. Jeg er en utmerket kokk. Jeg vil lage middag,” which apparently is Norwegian for “Hello, I am going to take over your kitchen immediately,” because that is what he did. Friday night’s dinner demanded the use of nearly every pot and skillet in the house. Dan got so upset at the mess we were expected to clean up—the house rule is the cook gets to cook and the rest get to clean up afterward – that he stomped upstairs to our room in a huff and wouldn’t come
down until Thor cried “Kom, barn! Spis middag!” which is Norwegian for “Admire my pecs while you eat.” Yes, I failed to mention that Thor had been next to naked the entire time he was in our house, having stripped down to a pair of hot pants and nothing else within minutes of arriving. He had a spectacular body, I have to admit, but it was too perfect, and his armpit hair was so blonde it looked like he’d used peroxide. Dan glumly made his way to the table just as Thor presented the single dish he’d made; why he’d had to use all the pots and pans is anyone’s guess. “Penne alla Vodka” he proudly announced as Dan and I took our seats. That’s when I stole a glance at my bottle of Absolut and gasped—it was empty! The louse had either poured it all into the sauce or used half and drank the rest. What a total waste of fine vodka. Thor will not be invited back.
Thor cried “Kom, barn! Spis middag!” which is Norwegian for “Admire my pecs while you eat.”
Penne alla Vodka
There’s no mystery whatsoever to Penne alla Vodka. You simply make a tomato sauce from minced garlic and salt and plum tomatoes from a can (which you have roughly chopped in a food processor). Add some crushed pepper and 1/4 cup of vodka and let it cook. Boil a box of penne. Before the penne is done, add about half a cup of cream to the sauce. When the penne is al dente, drain it and dump it in a very large bowl. Add the sauce, stir in some chopped parsley if you have any, stir it well, and put two slabs of butter on top, just for the hell of it. Serve with grated Parmigiano cheese.
SScontinued from page 1
IOWA HIV statute to reflect contemporary knowledge of the real routes and risks of HIV transmission. Haught, of Nashua, Iowa, is a long-term HIV survivor and is heading up a statewide campaign to modernize the Iowa statute. Strub’s new short film HIV in Not a Crime, which features Rhoades, will be shown. Iowa’s HIV criminalization laws have become a concern to public health officials, medical and legal professionals and persons living with HIV/AIDS and their advocates. HIV criminalization does not reduce HIV transmission and it discourages those at risk from getting tested for HIV or seeking treatment for the condition. According to Haught, “it’s bad public health policy; we need people to know their HIV status; this law punishes those who take the responsible step and learn their status while privileging ignorance, which is what drives the epidemic.” The SERO Project, which Strub founded, asserts the Iowa statute violates the human rights of people living with HIV by creating a viral sub-class of people who are singled out in the law for unjust prosecution and excessive sentencing for behaviors that for others would be unre-
markable or far less severely punished. Mayer, who also serves as the Chair of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) points out that the statutes do not reduce HIV transmission—their initial goal—and risk driving the epidemic underground and away from the testing, counseling, treatment, and care. Mayer noted “NASTAD and the Iowa Department of Public Health endorse efforts to examine and support proven public health approaches that Promote safer behaviors without stigmatizing people with HIV by treating HIV differently than we treat other serious infectious diseases. Instead, we should be promoting risk reduction for persons living with HIV through condom use and other safer sex practices, and encouraging, without mandating, an individual’s disclosure of HIV status to his or her partners.” State Senator Matt McCoy, of Des Moines, has introduced legislation to update the Iowa statute to bring it in line with best public practice. The issue is expected to be debated in the next legislative session in 2013. The August 8 Community Forum at the Ames Public Library will begin at 6:30pm and is open to the public and no charge.
AUGUST 2012
The Outfield by Dan Woog Hudson Taylor: The power of ‘athlete ally’
Hudson Taylor is not gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Three years ago, when the University of Maryland wrestler put a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his headgear, some people wondered about his sexuality. Taylor didn’t care. He was more concerned about sending a strong show of support to the gay community. For him, the medium—sports—was an appropriate means for an important message. Taylor admits he had “zero exposure” to gay people growing up. “I started wrestling when I was 6,” he recalls. “All my friends were other wrestlers. I didn’t think the LGBT world pertained to me.” But in middle school he sang in a choir. At Blair Academy in New Jersey he performed in musicals and plays. “No one was out when I was there, but homophobic comments of my friends—and me—always got corrected,” he says. He lived in two worlds—“jock and thespian”—and his horizons broadened. The HRC sticker was his first act of public advocacy. It attracted plenty of attention, and in February of his senior year the Outsports website interviewed him. To Taylor’s surprise, 2,000 emails poured in. Many came from closeted young athletes. “It was jaw-dropping,” Taylor says. “About half of them made me cry.” For the first time, he realized the power of allies to make a difference. “If a college wrestler could get that response, imagine if a football coach or athletic director spoke out,” he says. “They could change the world.” Deferring law school, Taylor and his girlfriend Lia—“my partner in everything,” now his wife—began planning an organized called Athlete Ally. Taylor accepted attorney Fred Raffetto’s offer of help, and asked if he could do pro bono work. Hesitantly, Raffetto approached his firm, Ansell Grimm & Aaron. They agreed (and Raffetto is now a partner there). Taylor initially planned to create a place for allies to sign a pledge, which would give LGBT athletes hope and encouragement. The website does that, while also offering a place for allies to post personal stories. But Athlete Ally has evolved into something far different: a resource to help allies speak out publicly, and encourage others to do the same. Today there are several dozen college Athlete Ally Ambassadors. They talk to teams and athletic departments at their universities, asking them to sign the pledge. (It says: “I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless
of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.”) School newspapers, radio and TV stations and blogs cover those pledge signings, creating a snowball effect for the cause. “Lots of student-athletes want to take a stand,” Taylor says. “They just haven’t had the tools to do it before.” So far, over 5,000 athletes and coaches have signed the Athlete Ally pledge. One of the success stories is the University of Cincinnati, where 10 teams signed the pledge. Suddenly on campus, the issue of LGBT athletes was in the news. Sometimes, Taylor notes, “we get pledges from schools we hadn’t even reached out to. This is definitely something that people are talking about now.” There has been “literally no pushback,” Taylor says. However, he admits, “most of the schools we’ve reached out to are in the Northeast.” In an effort to broaden Athlete Ally’s scope, he will head South—to schools like Rhodes College in Memphis—this fall. He’s on the road often, usually every other week. He concentrates on colleges because, he says, those athletes and coaches are more politically and socially aware than their high school counterparts. It’s easier to be “active and aggressive” at the college level. And, he explains, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) sponsors a “Changing the Game” project at the K-12 level. “Pat Griffin and her group have done a fantastic job,” he says. In the coming year, Taylor hopes to encourage teams to wear an ally symbol when they compete. The design is still in the works. He envisions something instantly recognizable, like the pink ribbon that symbolizes breast cancer awareness. “I come at this conversation from a very safe place,” Taylor notes. “I’m part of the athletic culture. I said stupid things when I was younger. By telling my story, I allow others to tell theirs.” It helps that he is still involved in sports. Taylor is an assistant wrestling coach at Columbia University. He is once again living in two worlds—this time, athletics and gay advocacy. Thanks to Hudson Taylor and Athlete Ally, those two worlds are no longer mutually exclusive. Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@ qsyndicate.com.
It is important that Congress understands that we support and celebrate equality in the armed services. We also need to call for an end to DOMA, because as long as DOMA exists, anti-equality crusaders like Rep. King will continue to use it to justify and codify inequality. America deserves better. ~Donna Red Wing, Executive Director of One Iowa, in response to Steve King.
AUGUST 2012
The Fun Guide
Inside Out: Duality by Ellen Krug It was only the second time I ever heard a transgender speak about what it meant to be transgender. Sure, I had been on panels with other transgender speakers. I also had given many talks about my own gender journey. This time—two months ago—was different. Almost everyone in the audience of fifty people was straight. I showed up simply as someone with an interest in the topic. I hoped I would learn something from the seventysomething year old speaker—an “elder” of the Twin Cities transgender community. I wasn’t disappointed. At first, “Julia” reported the somewhat standard story—dressing in Mom’s clothes during her grade school years; an attraction to all things feminine; the idea that something wasn’t right, but not quite certain what that “something” was. She took a path that many Ts followed in the 1950s—the military, marriage and kids, a career involving pinstripes and wingtips, and finally, when she was almost sixty, an awakening that she had to deal with the person roaming within her spirit. For me, this was old hat. I fought the urge to yawn. Perhaps I should have gotten my nails done, after all. Julia had a voice that was even deeper than mine. She didn’t seem to care about the pitch. Maybe that was good for me—ever neurotic over how I sound—to see and hear. Three quarters of the way into her talk, she veered off the road. “For many transgender people, gender
is fluid,” Julia announced. “Sometimes, they live in their birth-assigned genders. At other times, they live in their true gender. This is all that many want.” Oh really, I thought. Julia proclaimed, “I don’t care about passing as a woman. In fact, perhaps you’ve noticed my clothes.” It was impossible not to notice. She was a cross between Maude—of the TV show— and Joseph with the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her wig was poorly positioned and looked like a tuft of head feathers. Her makeup seemed a bit uneven, to say the least. “I dress this way so that people will notice me,” she said. “I want everyone in the waiting line at the movie theatre to know there’s a transgender person in their presence.” Holy sh**, I thought. For a brief second, I wondered if she had a concealed weapons permit, too. Being obvious isn’t my goal. Or, for that matter, the goal of any other transgender I know. If you’re T, you want to blend in—or at least not give others reason to stare and point, or worse. We all know “worse” happens, too. Yes, I understand that not every T cares about passing. (Please, hold your letters, I get it.) Still, I hadn’t heard a T talk about
actively vying for the “Who-Best-ResemblesA-Cockatoo” award. It got worse (or better, depending on your humor level) from there. Julia related that she was a grandparent. She paused for the audience’s collective “awe.” She disclosed, “My three grandchildren only know me as ‘Robert.’ They’ve never met Julia.” What the hell? The disclosures continued. Julia hadn’t ever divorced her wife. They had split up for several years, but later reunited. “We got back together because my wife was alone and my children thought it best,” Julia said. “When I’m around my wife, I’m ‘Robert.’ She’s not that fond of Julia.” She was also “Robert” to her three adult children. “It’s how they want it,” she said. A single word shot into my brain: Duality. Any LGBT person understands this—duality comes from compartmentalizing. It’s the consequence of torn lives between whom we appear to be and whom we really are. It’s also why some astute person coined the phrase, “In the closet.” I don’t fault Julia for being torn or for living with duality. She has a right to live her life as she sees fit. Indeed, I feel some angst even writing about her; I’m Buddhist and we’re not supposed to judge. Still. What I do fault Julia for: the audacity to act as some kind of spokesperson—even ambassador—-for the transgender community. If I was straight, my takeaway from Julia’s talk would have been something like, So, you really can turn this gender stuff off and on. So, what’s the big deal? So, why do you need to live in a different gender? Or change your name? By the way, it’s way easier to remember your boy name. I won’t bother myself with those pesky pronouns, Robert. I wasn’t the only person who reacted to Julia’s talk this way. There was another LGBT person in the room; he had the same take. “I couldn’t believe what she said,” he confided. I could have stood up and said some-
Any LGBT person understands this—duality comes from compartmentalizing. It’s the consequence of torn lives between whom we appear to be and whom we really are.
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Ellen Krug, writer, lawyer, human, is presently completing her memoir, “Getting to Ellen: Crossing the Great Gender Divide,” which will be published in 2012. She lives in Minneapolis and works as the executive director of a nonprofit serving the underrepresented. She welcomes your comments at ellenkrug75@gmail.com. thing like, “Wait a minute. I beg to differ on how most transgender folks want to live their lives. It’s nothing like you’re describing.” I didn’t because I was a guest of the organization that arranged for Julia to appear. I didn’t want to be disrespectful of my hosts—or Julia. I took a different tact. I approached Julia after she finished speaking. I stood patiently as others congratulated her on such an informative talk. I tried not to wince. When it got to my turn, I shook Julia’s hand and thanked her for “blazing the trail” for others. I meant it, too. I explained that I had been lucky to land a job where being transgender didn’t matter, and offered that the Minneapolis nonprofit legal community had been extremely welcoming—of me as Ellen. I tried to make the point that it was entirely possible to live as one’s true self, regardless of where the chips fall. I asked for her card. As she handed it over, I said, “I’d love to meet for coffee to talk further.” I sensed she understood what I wanted to cover. Two hours later, I emailed, “Would love to get together.” It’s been weeks since my email. I haven’t heard back from Julia. I suspect I won’t.
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The Fun Guide
Des Moines Artstop 9/14-29 Featuring Elements Ltd. Artstop, an annual celebration of visual and performing arts in Greater Des Moines, will take place this year on three consecutive weekends and the intervening two weeks from September 14-29. The events take place on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured Artstop Districts and dates are Historic East Village and Court Avenue on September 14 and 15; Historic Valley Junction and Roosevelt Cultural District on September 21 and 22; and Ingersoll Avenue and Western Gateway on September 28 and 29. New in 2011, Artstop project spaces will again transform highly visible sites among Des Moines’ six Artstop districts into spaces for dynamic and adventurous works of art. The public will have the opportunity to view all of the works over two weeks, from September 14 – 29, and to vote on their favorite. Over 60 venues, including businesses, galleries, museums, and artists’ studios are part of this year’s Artstop. Many of the venues will offer family-friendly events including music, theatre, dance, demonstrations and hands-on workshops for children and adults.
What differentiates ARTstop from the rest of the year for Elements, Ltd. is that as much as Elements, Ltd. is a gallery exhibiting the work of artist-jewelers all year long,
ARTstop is the time to focus on one or two artists and on edgier work. We feature their work as a cohesive grouping, we advertise along with the rest of the ARTstop venues, and we bring them to the gallery to meet the public. We hire musicians, serve champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and generally make it an especially festive occasion. One of our highlights was showing the work of our own late Mark Grgurich in 2007. He was a genius as a designer and as a maker. We have also shown the artwork of professional photographer Bruce Wagman, graphic art by Juli Magnusson, and jewelry by Donna Burdic from Lincoln, Nebraska. One year we had the honor of presenting the work of Joe Muench, associate professor and head of the jewelry and metals program at Iowa State University. He created a series for ARTstop of fabricated steel vessels with intricately chased and repousséd brass lids. In 2010, David Luck came from Iowa City to demonstrate his chain making and in 2011 Satomi Kawai showed her largescale steel and silicone rubber bodyworks. We look forward to the installations and miniatures that our latest artist, Guy Loraine, brings this September. Musicians Friday September 21st will be guitar duo Seth Hedquist and Ron Roberts. Artstop is an arts event created for Greater Des Moines with the goal to inform, educate, entertain and engage community members through the arts. Visit artstopinfo.org for more information and elementslimited.com for Elements Ltd.
The Sioux Falls Center for Equality will hold PRIDE on Saturday, August 18th along the west side of Covell Lake in Sioux Falls (block east of West Ave and on Madison Street). PRIDE begins at noon to 5 PM, with set up at 10:30 AM and cleanup from 5-6 PM. There will be several special events from August 16th–19th, with the Center for Equality partnering with Toppers, 1213 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Thursday, August 16th 2012 Sioux Falls Pride 2012 Kick Off! Drag KING show at 8pm followed by KARAOKE. Friday, August 17th 2012 Topper’s will host a Black and White Ball again this year on Friday as part of Sioux Falls Pride 2012 Celebrations! Speedos or
monkey suits, and anything in-between, put on your black and white duds and come out. Saturday, August 18th 2012 The Pride Main Event will be held at the West Side of Covell Lake in Sioux Falls from NOON-5 PM, followed by a Drag Show at 6 PM with over 30 performers. Sunday, August 19th 2012 Sunday at Toppers a Chili Cookout to benefit the Aids Walk Event to be held Saturday, September 15th beginning at 9 A.M. and ending at noon. For more information go to: The Center for Equality on Facebook or centersforequalitysd.org, Toppers at sdtoppers.com, and Aids Walk Sioux Falls on Facebook or aidswalksiouxfalls.org.
Artstop and Elements, Ltd.
South Dakota Celebrates PRIDE in Sioux Falls
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From The Heart by Rev. Kathy Love, D.D. far away. I always find it fun and interesting to hear what people from other areas of the country notice about our great city. Yvette was surprised and thrilled to see “Christmas trees” everywhere (Small things that we take for granted!). And they were very happy with how nice everyone was, and how laid back Iowans are. Now that was interesting—I think of California as being the definition of laid back, but evidently things aren’t as they appear in the songs! They had a very small and intimate wedding. As we often do with couples from out of state, we were happy to supply their witnesses, and it was a very loving and heartfelt ceremony. Tears of joy from both—as well as from me. Janet and Yvette. Photo courtesy of Rev Kathy Love. They thanked me over We were blessed to have been asked and over as they left, but I owe them great to do a wedding for Janet and Yvette from thanks for allowing me to do what I love Fontana, California. They have been togeth- to do. What really touched me was Yvette er for 21 years, and had been hopeful that saying to me “This is a good thing that you California would come around and legalize are doing here.” It was a gentle reminder same sex marriage. They finally decided not to take anything for granted, and reinthat they were tired of waiting and flew to forces that this is more than just a business. Des Moines, Iowa to say their vows. It was Lives are forever changed and that IS a an easy process, even with them being so good thing.
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The New Kings on the Block interview by Angela Geno-Stumme
Holden Cider The New Kings on the Block are a new Drag King Troop, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and performing at Club CO2. The group is comprised of: Tatem Trick, Jayden Knight, Justin Cider, Holden Cider, Wolf Donnadick, and Maxwell Muffdyver. The group’s creator, Jill Kennedy, and a few group members took the time to discuss The New Kings on the Block. Jill, how did The New Kings on the Block get started? Jill: The idea for The New Kings on the Block came soon after the group’s creator Jill Kennedy left her dream job as Service Business Manager at Zimmerman Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Mitsubishi in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this past April to spend more time caring for her 94 year old grandfather. I saw the possibilities of a Cedar Rapids drag king group and decided it was the right time to make something like this happen. There are many talented individuals in this area wanting to perform and be a part of something like what the I.C. Kings have built. Was there any influence from other King troops and the I.C. Kings in particular? Jill: Without the I.C. Kings this new group would not have been possible. I consider many of the I.C. Kings to be good personal friends and thank them for allowing me to perform as my own drag persona Tucker Wang with the first Kings and Jacks “newbie” show on July 29, 2010, and even as recently as the I.C. Kings Country show on June 28, 2012. I have always been a fan, being there at the very first I.C. Kings show at my high school friend Christy Handley’s former bar FireWater. When my friend Kristin Wieland was performing as Roman C. Lover on the April 26, 2012 show before embarking on a trip out west I decided to bring my camera along and get some good photos of the performance as she normally photographs the I.C. King shows. After posting photos of the show the next day on Facebook and the enormous positive responses I received, I then finally decided to start Jill of all Trades Productions and wrap all of my interests and business ideas into a Facebook page. In early May I met with Julius Fever, Hugh Jindapants, and Jacques Straap and decided to have a fan photo booth at the May Identity Crisis I.C. Kings show. I brought a friend from work to help MC the show and another work friend to help out with props and asked Bailey Jean Owen of ParanoidPeachezz photography to assist. It was at this May show that my straight,
The Cider brothers, Holden & Justin. married friend was introduced to her first drag show ever. She was amazed and decided she wanted to perform too but was afraid it was a special club for lesbians. I explained that it’s just a performance, and gay bars are usually the most accepting venue but the I.C. Kings have performed at other places. She was hooked after seeing one I.C. Kings show and now performs as Wolf Donnadick with The New Kings on the Block. My other friend that helped MC the show in May 2012 was amazed that the crowd and the audience were much better than the typical local comedy scene. Butterfly was then interested in being more involved but as the I.C. Kings are based out of Iowa City, the distance was a factor for her. She was also a major factor in the creation of The New Kings on the Block. Without Club CO2 located at 616 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids and the talks with co-owner Scott Alt the idea for a Cedar Rapids king group would be just that still, an idea. Club CO2 has renovated the place and made it into a clean, accepting and friendly atmosphere to have a drink, watch videos on one of the three high
Jayden Knight. Photo courtesy of Jill Kennedy. definition big screens, enjoy one of the most spacious dance floors in the area, play Jenga on giant blocks, play Silverstrike bowling, or sit at the bar and have a CO2 signature Bloody Mary or other drink. It is a perfect venue for The New Kings on the Block. The New Kings on the Block are a performance group accepting of all sexualities. They feature many drag kings, guest performers, skits, and comedy by MC and show director Butterfly. Some of the main performers include Jayden Knight, Tatem Trick, Wold Donnadick, Maxwell Muffdyver, and the Cider
Justin Cider brothers: Justin Cider, and Holden Cider. For The New Kings on the Block, how did you become interested in male impersonation and why did you become a Drag King? Holden Cider: I grew up in Iowa City and went to see the drag (queen) shows at Studio 13 and thought to myself, hey I wonder if I could dress as a boy? A few years later I saw my first drag king on the TV show, ‘The L Word.’ I decided to start performing drag because it’s thrilling and exciting; Think about it, for one or two nights a month I get impersonate a character I created! Jayden Knight: My first interest in becoming a king was back in 2010. I went to Hamburger Mary’s in Cedar Rapids and watched a show. I remember saying to myself “that’s where I want to be”. Next month I planned to do the Open Mica at Hamburger Mary’s. I became a King because of the thrill I get when I’m on stage, but most of all because I love seeing people’s smiling faces when I walk off stage. Justin Cider: I love entertaining, I’m one of those people that will just randomly bust a move in the middle of public and not really care. I saw a Kings show and knew—that was what I would love to be doing! What brought you to The New Kings on the Block? Holden Cider: I heard there was a new King group forming and I have a passion for male impersonation and bending genders and now, here I am. Jayden Knight: Jill Kennedy approached me about the idea and asked if I knew any other Kings that would be interested in performing. Justin Cider: Jill Kennedy started talking about it, and it had been awhile since I had performed so I jumped at the opportunity. Who are your mentors and what influences your style? Holden Cider: My close friend and a wonderful mentor of mine is Hugh Jindapants; he is a very talented performer and always puts on an eye popping show. I’m also influenced by politics and will start doing politically active shows that will hopefully help improve GLTB awareness and safety. The idea of our group is to be open to everyone, gay, straight, bi, trans, or whatever someone wants to be that day; I hope by us showing people we want unity and to respect everyone, then more people will be exposed to the GLBT culture. My theory is with more
exposure, comes more understanding! Jayden Knight: I have three main inspirations. One is Joey D.Dragking from the IC Kings. She inspires me to be creative in what I do and always keep the crowd guessing at what’s coming next. She has also been a huge supporter of mine since I first started. Secondly would be Tatem Trick. She has been there with me since Hamburger Mary’s. She’s always willing to give me advice and has always supported me. And third would be the IC Kings themselves. They always inspire me to be myself and to never fear your creative side because you will never know what will come from it. Justin Cider: I would say I get a lot of energy from my brother Holden Cider, nothing like performing next to family! I would say my style is everything: I wear a bunch of different things and my music tends to switch up a lot too. What music and costumes can we expect from your performance? Holden Cider: I am a country boy and love country music so I will be performing country now and then, as well as some comedic and/or upbeat songs with my brother, Justin (Cider). Jayden Knight: I like to go for a rebel teddy bear look. When I come out, I have dark hair and usually some dark make up around the eyes with my lip piercing in. Then when you approach me I’m as sweet as they come.
Wolf Donnadick. Music wise I’m always leaving people guessing. One day I could do hard rock next I’m jamming to the eighties. Justin Cider: The sky is the limit really. I like to pull out humor but I also will come right back with something real sexy. How do you feel about being the newest Drag King Troop in Iowa? Holden Cider: Its more about being part of a King group from Iowa then it is about being the ‘newest’ group in Iowa. Jayden Knight: Wow! The feeling of the newest troop is just unbelievable! I can’t really wrap my mind around it yet. It’s definitely a dream come true. Something I’d like to throw in is: I’m extremely thankful for my fans. They have been there since day one and I would be nowhere without them. Justin Cider: I think its epic, I am excited to see what everyone pulls out of their bag of tricks. And I hope everyone comes ready to PARTYYY! Look for more information on The New Kings on the Block on Facebook and upcoming Club CO2 performances at club-co2.com.
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Hear Me Out by Chris Azzopardi Justin Bieber, Believe
With the Biebs’ Tiger Beat days numbered, it’s time to pull a Timberlake: His third studio LP, Believe, is a postpuberty breakthrough—the kind that moved his teen-idol contemporary into manhood (and he has tattoos to prove it!). But even if Believe doesn’t eclipse Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds in innovation, or even in vocal awesomeness, it still establishes the little mister as more than a write-off. “As Long As You Love Me,” irresistibly stretching his falsetto into a stuttery riff, works his matured voice (i.e. sexed-up) into a layered house throwdown that has him asserting love’s power over money and food (he really is growing up). There’s no denying the charm of Jackson 5 throwback “Die in Your Arms,” or
escaping the giddy energy that envelopes “Thought of You” (Usher comes to mind during the chorus); though spanning a gap that Bieber isn’t too eager to bridge on this hopscotching effort, both are among the finer examples of pop this year. And the bad news? His Nicki Minaj pairing on disco-spun “Beauty and a Beat”—not only one of the worst play-on-words ever but also a song that Minaj steals when she goes all cougar with “Buns out, wiener/But I gotta keep a eye out for Selener.” The title track, a swamping gospel ballad with an emotional wallop, is more his style. Makes you believe he’s got more up his sleeve. Grade: B
Maroon 5, Overexposed
They might have the moves like Jagger, but Maroon 5 lacks the grooves on their fourth album in 10 years, Overexposed. The title, a self-deprecating wink to the band’s ubiquity (and maybe frontman Adam Levine’s frequent and much-appreciated nakedness), demonstrates what happens to a band when they become as big as these boys: In pursuit of singing competitions and hot models, the music—this time with Max Martin and Ryan Tedder taking on production—falls through the cracks. “Payphone,” the fine first single, is a quick rewind—not just to when you needed a dime to make a call, but to
Maroon 5’s neo-soul soft side that had gays and girls swooning. Pretty much the rest—as overproduced as it may be Overexposed—will not be loved. “One More Night” does the funkyreggae thing, masking Levine’s pained plea – an old trick the band can’t let go of (see past singles: “Misery” and “Makes Me Wonder”). Worse, even, are the words themselves: “Here I am waiting, I’ll have to leave soon” launches “Daylight”; “I know you wanna stay, but I think that you should go” is the poeticism of “Tickets”; and can we start a movement to stop the metaphorical use of “tattoo”? Please? “Sad,” despite also ignoring subtlety in lyricism, is onto something better than any of the perfunctory funk-pop: With just piano and Levine’s raw vocals, he sings his heart out…and we swoon. Grade: C
Miracles. These woes don’t translate to her best music, again finding the singersongwriter stuck in Starbucks mode (the throwaway duet with James Taylor among them), but there’s thoughtfulness in her everyday musings: moving out is a liberating to-do on “What to Keep and What to Throw Away,” “Another Home” finds life in death, and then there’s “New Years Day”—a fresh start. Hopefully for her music, too. Meiko, The Bright Side If Lilith Fair were around this summer, guitar-girl Meiko would undoubtedly have a place on the bill—right before Lisa Loeb. Her lo-fi sound—a blend of acoustic folk and indie-pop, a pleasing-if-narrow brand that got the attention of Grey’s Anatomy and The Hills—is tailored for alt-lovers, but her bedroom vibe wears thin on her second CD. Despite the limited musical scope of The Bright Side, the “Crown and Sprite” line on “I’m Not Sorry” is adorable, as is the simple boy-crush song “Stuck on You.” We’d be too if someone would shake up her sound. Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at chris-azzopardi.com.
If Lilith Fair were around this summer, guitar-girl Meiko would undoubtedly have a place on the bill—right before Lisa Loeb.
Also Out
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ashes and Roses Tough personal affairs—divorce, death and a serious illness of her own—are brought into the fold of the folk-country queen’s follow up to 2010’s The Age of
Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente Janet Jackson produces trans doc Truth
and struggles of transgender people in North America, Latin America, Europe and Australia. In a written statement, Jackson says that she attached herself to the project to help eradicate discrimination against the trans community. This calls for a YouTube transgender flash mob dance video set to “Rhythm Nation!”
Mockingbird Lane gets its cast of munsters
Janet Jackson. Photo for Nutrisystem courtesy of Ruven Afanador. You knew you liked Janet Jackson, but did you know how much? Maybe it’s because throughout her career, she’s always been the most cautious of the Jackson clan, the least willing to turn her life into a public spectacle in between work projects. She acts, she sings, she dances, she does commercials for NutriSystem, but otherwise she keeps to herself. And alongside that wise approach to her personal life she’s maintained an activist’s stance as an ally to the LGBT community, a bond that will only deepen as she enters a new role: executive producer of Truth. That’s the title of an upcoming documentary about transgender people and their treatment around the world. New York’s Brainchild Films and director Robert Jason are behind the feature, which will focus on the lives
It started with, “Huh? A reboot of The Munsters? We need this?” And then we learned that Bryan Fuller, the wildly inventive creator of Pushing Daisies, was behind it and extending trust to his left-of-center credentials was much easier. And now there’s a cast so cool and so queer (and queeradjacent) that NBC’s dramatically different reimagining of the vintage sitcom, now titled Mockingbird Lane just became must-watch TV for the fall. Jerry O’Connell will star as Herman Munster and Portia De Rossi will play Lily, while Eddie Izzard will star as Grandpa. Daisies alum Beth Grant (Sordid Lives) will play a suspicious neighbor and Cheyenne Jackson has just signed on to guest as a local Scout Master with eyes for Lily. Casting is ongoing, so expect more
updates as the weeks roll on. But for now all you have to remember to do is set your DVR this fall and stop confusing them with the Addams Family.
The Canyons welcomes Lohan…for now
If her time shooting Liz & Dick is any indication, Lindsay Lohan might not yet be ready to return to work. Erratic behavior, car accidents, lateness, bouts of unconsciousness: all of it distracts from the project and the fact that this talented young woman is fully capable of good work. But assuming she makes it through this one and comes out the other side stronger and back on track, her next project could be fascinating, a genuine game-changer professionally. You may remember an earlier report where we said that “it doesn’t get crazier” than the combination of American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis, Taxi Driver screenwriter/ Cat People director Paul Schrader and altporn star James Deen, but now that Lindsay Lohan has been added to the mix of what is now going to be called The Canyons, it all just totally did. Ellis describes the upcoming feature as a story about people in their 20s chasing “power, love, sex and success in 2012 Hollywood,”
A cast so cool and so queer (and queer-adjacent) that NBC’s dramatically different reimagining of the vintage sitcom [The Munsters], now titled Mockingbird Lane just became must-watch TV for the fall.
which sounds like the perfect vehicle for Lohan, even if her co-star is more known for focusing exclusively on the sex part of that equation. Nothing’s set in stone yet, but this one is only going to get more interesting.
Kevin Smith: The Groovy Straight Bear gets animated
Kevin Smith was apparently kidding when he said he was quitting filmmaking. After last year’s speaking tour where he also showed his horror film, Red State, to audiences along the way, he said that his hockey comedy, the upcoming Hit Somebody, would be his last film. But you can’t keep the man away from his ardent fan base, and now it looks like Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie will be a reality in 2013. Not only is the hetero Smith an honorary gay bear by this point, having conducted hockey-themed same-sex weddings on his Smodcast podcast and produced documentaries like Malcolm Ingram’s Small Town Gay Bar, but there have never been two gayer Smith creations than the perpetually high, heterosexual life partners Jay and Silent Bob. We have no idea what the film is going to be about, but it’s almost certain to be R-rated, raunchier than everything else in the multiplex, and filled to the brim with homosexuality. If not, that will be the most shocking thing he’s ever done. Romeo San Vicente’s most shocking moment has been reposted on dozens of Tumblrs. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@ qsyndicate.com.
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MOVING ON UP but I definitely talk about him as much as possible. Has having a dance company always been a dream of yours? Yeah, I always wanted one. I’ve always wanted to have my own TV show, too! (Laughs) You really have done so much for as young as you are. What new goals have you set for yourself now that you’ve accomplished your other ones? By the time I’m 31 I want to move into directing and producing and choreographing my own movies, productions, events and shows. There’s so much more room for me to grow in this industry, and I can’t wait to take those steps. And hopefully by 32, I’ll be ready for a child. I set high goals. If someone would’ve told me seven years ago, “You’re going to have your own TV show, your own dance company, choreographing all these movies and things,” I would’ve slapped them in the face and said, “Yeah, right.” But I did. With your new series, and ones like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, dance reality shows are all the rage. Why does dance make for good reality television? Good question. It’s emotional and (viewers) want to see what people go through; they want to see people work through their problems and aggressions. And dancers are really nice to look at! (Laughs) It makes people feel good because a lot of people don’t know how to dance the way we dance, so they admire it. With this (show), you see me 100 percent completely bare, and you see why I dance and why I choreograph, and you care about it more. One-hundred percent completely bare? This is on Oxygen, right? (Laughs) Yeah. You know what I mean! You got your start in the business when you were 9, with a Dr. Pepper commercial. What do you remember from that experience? It was my first time in front of a camera, and I realized then that I wanted to be in this industry. I was more interested in what was going on behind the camera—the chorographer, the director—I loved that and I’ll never forget that. I moved to New York at 12 and did a Broadway show and I’ve been working ever since. I really owe a lot to So You Think for the exposure I got on that show, which led me to so many more opportunities. I don’t know where I’d be today in my career if I didn’t get my start on So You Think You Can Dance. What inspires your choreography? Usually personal life stories of my own. And I have really vivid dreams a lot of times and I live my dreams full out. I sometimes don’t know when they’re real or not. I dream every night, so there’s a lot of images I take from my dreams. What’s the last dream you had that inspired a routine?
Courtesy of Oxygen. For the top-10 girl piece (on a recent episode of So You Think You Can Dance), I had this dream I was lifted out of my body and I couldn’t move. It was really weird. It wasn’t like I was dying or anything; it was just that I was paralyzed and couldn’t move my body and I was floating above toward this white light. It was pretty crazy. Are you glad you came out the way you did? Do you think that’s the best way to come out if you’re a public figure? I don’t really know. This is what’s so crazy: I never thought I was “in.” I never had press to talk about it. I wasn’t ever hiding anything. I guess when I got verbal about on it Twitter people were like, “Travis is out.” I’m like, “When was I ‘in’?” I did So You Think and disappeared from the public eye because I was working on choreography and I didn’t really ever think I was a big enough public figure to say anything. I didn’t think it was a big deal. Have you ever felt pressure to ever stay “in” professionally? No—god no! What did you think of Benji Schwimmer, fellow contestant on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance, coming out recently? When I heard, I texted him right away to say, “I’m so proud of you.” He’s coming out of a church; I never had to deal with any of that. To take that step to come out—and not only that, but speak about what his church says about it—I’m so proud of him, because it’s about time he did it, and I wanted him to do it for so
I never thought I was “in.” I never had press to talk about it. I wasn’t ever hiding anything. I guess when I got verbal about on it Twitter people were like, “Travis is out.”
long. I think if everyone came out of the closet these days, the world would be so much better. Did you know he was gay when you were competing against each other? I mean, come on! You know when you know. (Laughs) I knew on the show, and we briefly touched on it while we were on tour. Many public figures stay closeted because they don’t want their sexuality to define their profession. Is that an issue within the dance community?
ACCESSline Page 23 I don’t think people think of me as “Travis Wall, that gay dancer.” It doesn’t define my work. For guys, it’s different if you’re gay and can only dance gay. As a male dancer, you have to be strong and masculine. I think it’s terrible when a guy is dancing with a girl and the guy is dancing girlier than the girl. I absolutely hate that, and I won’t hire them. You have to do your role as a male dancer. What you do outside of those doors is your own business and your own thing, but don’t let that define who you are as a dancer. How did your part in Step Up Revolution—as choreographer—come about? Adam Shankman hired me, but the best thing is that Jamal Sims—the supervising choreographer—brought me in as a choreographer. He actually made me choreographer on this movie, and I haven’t even been an associate choreographer on a movie. To get full credit on my first movie, I was so thankful. A lot of people in the industry wouldn’t have done what he did. I loved working on that movie. I saw it last month and think it’s completely different than every other Step Up. How is choreographing for film different than choreographing for TV? I love movies, because you get to show your point of view and get the shot that you want to get—and it’s a movie! But we only had two weeks for all the routines. Here I thought, “Oh, it’s a movie, we’ll have all time to choreographer this movie!” And … no. (Laughs) If you could choreograph for anybody, who would it be? I would love to create a visual show to Jason Mraz music. I love Jason’s music so much. And if I ever got to work with Beyoncé, it’s a lifelong dream and I would probably freak out and shake my ass. Ass shaking is probably part of the interview process. Yeah, probably! (Laughs)
Travis Wall. Courtesy of Anderson Group Public Relations.
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AUGUST 2012
The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer “The Absolutist” by John Boyne c.2011, Other Press $16.95 U.S. 320 pages For some reason, you just can’t seem to let it go. It happened so many years before. You were a child then, really: old enough to know better, but not old enough to resist your impulses. Old enough to act, but not old enough to understand that you’d carry your pain for decades. Everyone says to forgive yourself. Move on. Let it go. What they don’t know is that, though the years pass, the regret you feel never does…
Tristan Sadler hoped his memories of battle would eventually fade. He hoped that nobody would ever know what he’d seen. And in the book “The Absolutist” by John Boyne, he hoped they’d never know what he did. Marian Bancroft lived quite far away from London. It wouldn’t be easy to get there; nonetheless, Tristan Sadler made the journey. He wasn’t sure why he needed to give her the letters but somehow, it seemed important. Not long before, he’d written to Marian, telling her about the letters, knowing she’d want them. Though she’d answered back that, yes, it would be nice to have some of her brother Will’s last possessions, Tristan wasn’t
Across 1 Act up, with “on” 6 Used a forked tongue 10 Sitcom radio station 14 Threesome member for Dumas 15 160 rods 16 Strong as 17 It may slip over one’s head 18 Can of worms, maybe 19 Salty bodies 20 CNN anchor in the news 23 “Look at Me, I’m Sandra “ 24 Poet Rimbaud 25 Ewe’s milieu 27 Give out 30 Medical treatment 32 Like something in the state of Denmark 36 Persian Gulf land 37 Website that published a statement by 20-Across 41 Evita’s husband 42 Cowboy’s job in The Boys in the Band 43 Put the collar on 46 Uses a gifted tongue 50 Neither Rep. nor Dem. 51 Man who doesn’t date women 55 St. that follows My Own Private ... 56 Statement by 20-Across 60 Nannies’ cries 61 Oompa Loompa creator 62 Judges 63 Seizures for Caesar 64 Do a nocturnal activity 65 Shrek and others
sure of the reception he’d get from her. After all, he had survived World War I, and Will had not. Upon meeting, he thought that Marian was a little addled but, no, she was nervous and after a cup of tea, Tristan believed they might be friends someday. Sometimes, when she scrunched her nose just so, he could see Will in her—they were siblings—and a jolt went through his heart. Tristan and Will had been through military training together. Just seventeen then, Tristan had lied about his age so that he might join the army. He supposed it was what he needed to do, especially since he had nowhere else to go. Especially since his father
Q-PUZZLE: “Anchor’s Aweigh ”
66 On top of that 67 Parts of a min. 68 Gay rodeo accessory
Down
1 Where PrideVision originated
2 Makes up 3 Where a Colossus straddled all who entered the harbor 4 Deep pink 5 North Sea feeder 6 What a surrogate mom goes into 7 Impotence confession
sent him away for kissing another boy. And Will, he was handsome. He had a great sense of humor and a deep sense of honor. Throughout their training, Tristan and he became friends. They became more than friends. Now, there was Tristan, three years after war’s end, holding a bundle of Will’s letters. And when Marion asked what happened on the day that Will died, Tristan knew suddenly why he’d brought the letters all the way from London. So he told her… Let me try to explain how much I loved “The Absolutist.” I loved it for its grainy black-and-whitemovie feel, like an old British film from the ‘40s. I loved that author John Boyle teased out just enough information throughout this book to make me think I’d figured out what had happened to Tristan and Will (I didn’t!). I loved the mixture of horrific brutality and insanely beautiful prose. And I loved the ending, which made me gasp, gasp, and gasp again. “The Absolutist” starts out a tad slow, but don’t let that deter you from reading this absolutely stellar book. Start it, stick around, and you soon won’t be able to let it go. 8 John of Gay Sex Quotes 9 Alternate route 10 Ethnic acronym 11 Oral sex providers, perhaps 12 Really enjoyed, as a Margaret Cho routine 13 GI suppliers 21 Vixen’s master 22 Vein contents 26 Objectivist Rand 28 Cara of Fame 29 Alanis Morissette role, in Dogma 31 Sporty Mazda 33 Reason for extra innings 34 Above-ground trains 35 MSG container? 37 Shake your moneymaker? 38 Condoms, to a Brit? 39 of Leather, Slippers of Gold 40 Make a blunder 41 alai 44 Letters from South Beach 45 Sports deals 47 Pussies with sharp teeth 48 Mingo’s portrayer in Daniel Boone 49 Affirms orally 52 Start of Caesar’s boast 53 Set of principles 54 River deposits 57 Canadian oil company 58 Clay Aiken was almost one 59 Huge opening? 60 Writer’s deg.
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AUGUST 2012
The Fun Guide
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Under Construction : ACCESSline’s Heartland Recurring Events List
ACCESSline’s Recurring Events List is and has been provided by ACCESSline readers. With the added communities of ACCESSline’s Heartland Newspaper, the list is need of a large overhaul. We need readers to continue to help and update the list. Please submit recurring events to ManagingEditor@ ACCESSlineIowa.com.
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WIRED THAT WAY LGBT friendly memes out there, but unfortunately no specific site that categorizes all of them. I attribute this fact to the incredible creativity I find in the LGBT community. Several members of my Trans support group, Transformations Iowa, have created their own memes. So have several of the Des Moines Pride Youth Group. In fact after looking for a one stop site to send you to, I’ve come to the conclusion that most of LGBT memes are individual creations. George Takei portrayed Mr. Sulu, the navigator on the original Star Trek series. For years it was rumored in science fiction community that he was gay, but he did not come out until just a few years ago. Mr. Takei is an avid Facebook user and liking his page will insure a steady stream of both LGBT and geek memes that he shares (often with his signature “ohhh myyy”). Speaking of George Takei is the perfect segue from photo memes to the video memes. As the name implies video memes are short video clips. Many are uploaded to YouTube and shared from there. George Takei recently recorded a video for It Gets Better. In his video George calls out Arkansas school board member and homophobe, Clint McCance by name and calls him a “douchebag”. The video, delivered with George’s incredible grace and timing, has become an instant classic. It has gone viral on many sites and has been parodied in many places as well. Created by Dan Savage as a response the bullying deaths of LGBT youth around the country, It Gets Better is probably the best known video meme. It has given hundreds of people a platform where they can speak out about their own experiences with bullying, give encouragement to LGBT youth and call out the bullies for their actions. A number of celebrities have made It Gets Better videos, ranging from President Barak Obama, comedian Sarah Silverman and even Kermit the Frog. Like most viral videos, It Gets Better has been spoofed many times. The comedy site Live Funny or Die has an It Gets Better video for Obama, made by the ex-presidents. Bush tells Obama “when you’re an ex-president you don’t have to pretend to know where countries are” and Clinton’s words of wisdom are “Reporters don’t care where you put your junk anymore”. Other spoofs include a Harry Potter It Gets Better, spoofs about how It Gets Better for the bullies too and many, many more. Whether photos, sayings or videos, Internet memes are not necessarily passive forms of entertainment. Anyone with a photo, editing software like Photoshop and a witty saying they want to share can create a meme. For those lacking the computer savvy or creative impulse to make their own, several sites feature meme generators that will copy and paste your saying onto a stock image and even share it for you. A simple webcam and software to run it, both of which are pre-installed on most laptops these days, is enough to create your own It Gets Better video. You can write out and practice your speech, or just talk, whatever suits your personal style and message. Once recorded you should upload the video to YouTube and title it “It Gets Better, your name”. Send the link to the folks at the It Gets Better website (they have a simple form) and they’ll do the rest. In is important in journalism to have a strong theme to any piece. I guess the theme to this month’s article would be “I spend way too much freaking time on the Internet”. Still I suspect I haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s out there. As we head into the dogs days of summer if you’re feeling the heat stay inside in the air conditioning and online. There’s lot of cool memes to find. Happy hunting.
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Section 3: Community
FFBC : Food For Thought from Matt Russell by Bruce Carr Our guest speaker on Friday morning, July 6, was Matt Russell, who is State Food Policy Project coordinator at Drake University’s Agricultural Law Center and who, with his husband Patrick Standley, owns Coyote Run Farm (coyote-run-farm.com), a 110-acre market farm in southwest Marion County, east of Lacona. Coyote Run Farm grows chemical-free seasonal produce, offers eggs from hens on pasture, raises heritage breed turkeys for Thanksgiving, sells beef from the family herd—both grain and grass finished—and trains their own mules for sale. Matt and Patrick can be found at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings May through October. “The two forces driving our farm are stewardship of the land and quality for our customers,” Matt said. His talk was fascinating, and extended from the global to the personal. He emphasized his pleasure in the diversity of Iowa, drawing a parallel between the wide variety of agricultural production in the state and the wide variety of gay life styles. “Food production runs the gamut from industrial factory-farms to the tomato-pots on the patio,” he noted, “and all are valuable and necessary.” Both he and Patrick had grown up in supportive communities (Matt in Cass County and Patrick in Des Moines), Matt said. Neither of them had been notably subject to bullying as teenagers, and neither felt the need to be politically active about their sexuality. Nor did they work at being closeted; when they bought their farm and began to make it work, they referred to each other as “my partner” in front of their rural Iowa neighbors—and let the neighbors think what they wanted to, or needed to. That changed a bit, Matt explained, after three Supreme Court justices were recalled for affirming the constitutionality of same-gender marriage in Iowa. Since then Matt and Patrick have made it their practice always to refer to each other as “my husband,” since they are indeed married in the eyes of the state as well as the church. The political has indeed become personal. From the Coyote Run Farm web site (but read the whole thing!): “Coyote Run Farm came into being in January 2005…We believed people would buy high quality, sustainably-raised foods and
products from a small family farm, especially if they could connect with that farm on an ongoing basis… Conventional wisdom would have been to bulldoze the buildings and add this small farm to existing farms for commodity agricultural production. We had a different plan. We bet the farm that with a commitment to sustainable agriculture and a desire to build relationships with customers buying directly from the farm, we could transition this dying farm into a modern and profitable agricultural enterprise. During our first year, we both continued to work in Des Moines and spent our time getting to know the land. “In year two, Pat left his job as zookeeper to farm full-time. We took the Grow Your Small Market Farm class and started selling at the Downtown Farmers Market…2007 was the year we bought our hay equipment, hit the accelerator on fruit and vegetable production, and signed up for the Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP—a federal conservation program) to transition all but a few acres of our farm into a rotational grazing system. In 2008 we started our EQIP projects by building two ponds for wildlife, soil conservation, and most importantly as a water source for our livestock expansions. We also used the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP—another federal conservation program) to protect a deep ravine running through the farm from livestock. In 2010, we started rehabilitating the house and continued to hire occasional help from neighbor kids and friends-between-jobs, as well as hosting work parties for friends, family, and customers. Work parties include a few hours of work such as planting garlic, butchering chickens, making hay, or pulling weeds, followed by a big farm meal…. “As we pursue our goals, we’ve found tremendous encouragement from our friends and supporters, which include our neighbors, family members, and customers. Coyote Run Farm allows Matt to celebrate being a fifthgeneration Iowa farmer and challenges Pat to continuously expand his animal care and gardening skills. In developing our farm, we’re investing in rural Iowa. We continue to bet that it’s possible to own and operate a profitable small family farm that also sustains natural resources. And the most important characters in this evolving story are our customers who continue to purchase our products and support us in countless ways.”
AUGUST 2012
Central Iowa Prime Timers Social Organization for Mature Gay/ Bisexual Men A group of gay and bisexual men has come together to form Central Iowa Prime Timers (PTCI) a social organization for mature gay and bisexual men. Prime Timers of Central Iowa will become an affiliate chapter of Prime Timers World Wide. An informational meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Plymouth Church Coffee Shop, 42nd and Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Rob Howard, president of Prime Timers World Wide, will be the featured speaker. Life after 30, 40 and beyond is different and sometimes challenging, but it doesn’t
have to be limited to Internet chat rooms. Healthy aging demands that we continue to grow, change, and engage life. How often have you heard an older gay man say, “I wish there were somewhere we could go to talk and hear each other?” Now there is. As one Prime Timer said, “I’m 82 and this is the best time of my life” Monthly meetings will be held and based on the interests of the chapter’s membership; smaller groups will meet during the month. PTCI activities are unlimited and tailored to the interests of members. PTCI has its own Facebook page. Just enter “Prime Timers of Central Iowa” and you’ll find out what’s going on.
International Puppy will be holding its 2013 Contest November 9 – 11, 2012 at the Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg, FL during Tampa Bay Leather n Fetish Pride Event and in conjunction with Tampa Bay LeatherSIR & Leatherboy contest. I n te r n a t i o n a l P u p py 2013 was created November 2011 to celebrate the puppy community. The contest is to show the best of the best from around the country and around the world. It’s more than just for a title though, it’s to bring the community together. This Year, ALL Puppies from anywhere in the world (Leather, Rubber, or whatever) are welcomed to compete in our contest without going through a feeder contest. Application Fee is only $10.00 and the
Winner gets: • Title of International Puppy 2013 • Winners Patch in Leather • Medallion • Travel Fund to come back the following year for their Step Down and be a Judge • $1000.00 Cash Prize • And other Prizes REMEMBER: Currently we have opened our contest to ALL pups no matter if you are part of a feeder contest or not! If you’re interested in starting your own puppy contest or adding a puppy category to your existing contest and becoming a feeder for IPC, contact our U.S. Liaison Tyger at midwestpuppy@gmail.com, or if you’re outside the U.S contact Sir Joseph at office.manager@puppygraphics.com.
International Puppy 11/9
Section 3: Community
AUGUST 2012
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From the Pastor’s Pen by Rev. Jonathan Page This month I made a pilgrimage to Provincetown, Massachusetts, definitely one of the gayest towns in the United States. It is one of the few places where straight people can be mocked as “breeders” by gays sipping their evening cocktail on the veranda of a bed and breakfast. Walking down Commercial Street, the main drag in Provincetown, you feel as though you have entered an alternative universe. You pass a string quartet playing Mozart...topless with chiseled abs and waxed chests. A few steps later scantily clad boys hand out advertisements for a local cabaret show, appropriately titled “Naked Boys Singing.” Literally, it includes guys in their early 20’s singing show tunes while completely naked. Then there are the names of the shops: Seaman’s Bank, Board Stiff, The Cock and Bull, and my favorite, the Provincetown Fudge Factory. While I was admiring art in a gallery window, a trans woman glided by on roller-skates singing into microphone attached to a speaker on a cart that she pulled behind her. Ahh P-town. Prominently situated on Commercial Street is the local Unitarian-Universalist church, a beautiful example of an early 19th century New England church. Being the type of tourist who loves visiting churches, I could not help but wander into the old
building and admire its space. The congregation had worked hard to maintain the integrity of the old building, but you could see that they were slowly losing the battle against time. Old church buildings, while beautiful, are a nightmare to maintain, even more so when the salty ocean air speeds the erosion process. Looking around I saw other signs of a church in decline. I could not help but wonder, “Is this church bound to die? Can a gay summer community support its own congregation?” Lost in thought, I passed their marquee on the front lawn that advertised the time for Sunday service along with the next Sunday’s sermon title, “PT Barnum—UU Saint.” Now, I don’t want to take anything away from PT Barnum. He was an American original who in his later life contributed too many good causes. I am sure the sermon that Sunday was insightful and edifying. What struck me was how irrelevant the title was to the passersby on the street. Would a sermon about a 19th century Universalist, even one as colorful as Barnum, really interest the average gay? After all, what role does religion have in a summer resort like Provincetown where gays have full acceptance and most people are there for a fun vacation? Later that day I was lounging on the
Would a sermon about a 19th century Universalist, even one as colorful as Barnum, really interest the average gay?
beach admiring the scenery. I reflected on how Provincetown has a lot of bars, restaurants, shops, beaches, and boats, but it has only one church. How sad would it be if that one spiritual oasis closed? The Unitarian theologian James Luther Adams wrote eloquently about the need for community, both personally and as agents of change. Faith communities bring people together who would not normally associate with one another. They strive to lift our vision beyond ourselves and to focus us on other people and on that which is eternal. All of us have a deep hunger for connection, honesty, and a spiritual grounded-ness that can be missing in a place like Provincetown. What might be needed for folks in P-town is a break from the fun, a quiet space to center ourselves, a place without any judgment, and an environment to let down our guard. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how many opportunities there were for a church in Provincetown. What if the church offered an early evening meditative service or a spirited morning worship for the early risers? What if they organized a running club where you could just show up for a communal jog? They could host a contest to make the best summer salad or clam chowder. The opportunities are endless, and I let my mind wander among the options. We are living in a period in which the shape of gay life and of spiritual communities is changing rapidly. Old churches shut
FFBC member Jonathan Page is senior pastor of the Ames United Church of Christ, 217 6th Street, Ames, Iowa. Sunday service at 10:45. He can be reached at jon@Amesucc.org. down. Fewer and fewer gay bars open as more people find intimacy through online connections. Is there a way for places of faith to serve gay populations better? I would think so. It is so easy to remain grounded in our old ways, ways that are familiar and comfortable. Are we missing out as we do so? Just then a group of gays passed in front of me on the beach and I was happily shaken from my reveries. One of them turned around and smiled. Thank God for vacation, I thought to myself, a time for reflection as well as a time for fun.
Regional LGBT Choruses sing at GALA 2012 by Rick Miller The Quire from Iowa City, the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Omaha River City Mixed Chorus performed July 7 – 12 at GALA Festival 2012 – Denver, along with other international choruses from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The festival is a creation of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, an international LGBT choral association and occurs every four years in a different city. Over 6000 delegates sang with their respective city choirs and received a very warm welcome form the inhabitants of Denver—including a proclamation from the mayor. The Quire, under the direction of guest conductor David Wilkinson, was accompanied by Sarah Zietlow. The Iowa City/Cedar Rapids chorus performed the following pieces: Dreidel, Blue Skies, Since First I Saw Your Face, Pearce Did Dance, Lob Des Frulings, Moon River, and I Found Love. This mixed chorus sang in a concert block with Sacramento, California; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Atlanta, Georgia; and Medford, Oregon on Wednesday during the final concert blocks of the festival. The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus sang a varied concert as 32 members performed before a packed house of over 2000. Under the direction of Dr Rebecca Gruber and accompanied by Ben Hagen the chorus also premiered it’s small group called Men In HarMENy the night before in a cabaret setting. DMGMC was on the same choral block as the Turtle Creek Chamber Chorale and Seattle Men’s Chorus. Their
repertoire’ was: What a Merry Party, Toccata of Praise, Abendlied (in German), How Do I Love You?, I Can See It, The Storm Is Passing Over, How Could Anyone (with signing), and Tshotsholoza. The men went on to a private dinner after their performance at a local restaurant. The River City Mixed Chorus from Omaha created a choral performance using the theme “Make Them Hear You” under the direction of their new conductor Dr. A.Barron Breland and accompanied by Salli Compton. They also used percussionist Vince Krysi. Their set consisted of Seize the Day, I Need to Wake Up, Make Them Hear You, Don’t Rain on My Parade, One Voice, Tshotsholoza, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Finale B (No Day But Today). Omaha sang in a set with Miami, Calgary, Kentucky, and Cleveland. RCMC is celebrating their 28th season and this was their eighth appearance at GALA. The showcase choruses were Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. with a stunning staged musical called “Alexander’s House”. One of the lead soloists was a former DMGMC member. The theme was based on a gay man’s estranged son coming to a beach house that he had inherited from his father. He was greeted by his father’s gay husband and his closest friends where they set the record “straight” about his father in a kind and understanding way. A new family is formed and there was not a dry eye in the auditorium. This was followed by Heartland Men’s Chorus
TTGALA 2012 continued page 30
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Section 3: Community
Forgiveness by Royal Bush, Multifaith Chaplain I am sorry. Will you forgive me? I was wrong. I apologize. Forgive. Forget. I forgive you. I forgive myself. What is forgiveness? Merriam Webster defines the word forgive as “to cease to feel resentment against an offender.” Wikipedia shares “the renunciation or cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.” How do you define forgiveness? Do you think about it? Do you offer it? When I talk with people about forgiveness they often think immediately of others, you know forgiving others who wronged them. I think that there are two other areas that we should explore; the forgiveness that we seek of others and forgiving ourselves. We can get pretty wrapped up in focusing on how others have “done us wrong” and forget that we ourselves are human beings that make mistakes, wrong others and need forgiveness too! A healing journey I went on began a couple of years ago. I sought out about 6 people whom I knew I had wronged in my past. I wanted to apologize to them. I wanted to let them know what they meant to me. I wanted to let them have a moment to share with me how they felt. I wanted to ask for their forgiveness. It was healing, powerful and very scary! The beautiful part was that each of them accepted by apology and forgave me. The healing for all was incredible, authentic and powerful. Bryant McGill said “There
is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love” and these were all acts of love. How easy it is to mess up our life? Lose a job. Have utilities shut off. Your vehicle repossessed. Lose a relationship. Have an addiction. End up incarcerated. There are so many choices that we make that allow us to “mess things up” with little or no help from the outside world. And then, yes, there are times that because of circumstances that may not be in our immediate control, life makes some sharp turns. I believe and have said that “we are the author of our own life stories, what are you writing?” We all have choices regardless of what is happening in our life. We choose how we react and respond to influences, people, and actions that make up “our” world. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we do not. When we don’t, we often tend to keep score. Offering forgiveness to ourselves could be one of your best weapons in freeing you from being your own prisoner. I believe, teach and preach that every single person is beautiful, loved and worthy, just as they are. That means everyone. That means that person who just called me a name. The politician or person who just voted against equality. The person who just cut me off in traffic. The person who wronged me. The person who… I believe that there are too many people who are focusing too much of their time worrying about the lives of other people and judging them for who they are and what
AUGUST 2012
The Tool Box August Events The Tool Box is a no SASS-no shame, sex & sexuality shop. A safe space for all—it is a shop for personal items in a comfortable space, with space for meetings as well. The Tool Box is located at 128 ½ E Washginton Street, Suite 1, Iowa City, Iowa and on facebook.
August 3rd Multifaith Chaplain Royal D. Bush serves Inclusive Life, Council Bluffs, IA & Omaha, NE. He holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. He holds a current certificate of spiritual counseling with the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling. He can be reached by phone at (402) 575-7006, by email at chaplainroyal@ inclusivelife.org, and at inclusivelife.org. they do (I don’t know about you and I know that I have enough on my own plate to keep me focused on making sure I am living my life according to my values, my beliefs, and in a way that honors my faith). I ask again, how do you define forgiveness? Do you think about it? Do you offer it? Can you forgive those who wrong you? Forgive your enemies? Forgive yourself? The answer is yes. You must create change in your own life before we can change what we seek for this world.
Art Closing Party for Nicole Dana, a graduate of the University of Iowa on Friday, August 3rd from 5-9pm will be held at The Tool Box 128 1/2 E Washington Street in Downtown Iowa City. There will be free food & drinks.
August 31st
Friday, August 31st from 4-9pm. Lease Renewal Party! Celebrating The Tool Box being allowed to stay open for another year at 128 1/2 E Washington St. in Downtown Iowa City. Come out and party with free food & drinks as well as special sale items for that night only!
AUGUST 2012
Section 3: Community
ACCESSline Page 29
A Voice From Our Past – A Message from Alex Cooke In his From the Pastor’s Pen article, Jonathan Page made the plea that our LGBT community should conscientiously capture and share our common heritage. He rightly claimed that old and young among us will be enriched by doing so. He’s right. What follows is one attempt to do that. It is an adaptation of a speech given in 1992 by Alex Cooke at the 6th annual All Iowa AIDS Benefit. “Like most of you, I have lost many of my friends to this disease. Not long ago I was sitting in the kitchen with my roommate going through my address book, and I came to the realization that over half of the people listed in it are no longer living. I have lost over thirty of my friends to AIDS; that is more than one friend for every year that I have been alive. This is not supposed to happen. People my age shouldn’t be able to count one dead friend for every year of their life. I have asked myself many time, ‘What’s wrong with this world? What is wrong with people? Where is the caring? Why can’t they reach out and stop the suffering?’ “Slowly, I have seen the level of caring, the response of the community, the outpouring of funds and support, and the general level of awareness, grow. Now at the 6tsh Annual All Iowa AIDS Benefit, I can look out and see the size of crowd that I never dreamed would come together in support of those of us that have AIDS, and those of us that will, regrettably, at some time in the future contract this disease. “I’ve been doing AIDS education for three years, speaking mostly to small groups of nurses and college students. The most frequent question I’ve been asked is, ‘What is it like to have AIDS?’ The only way I can answer this is with another question, ‘What is it like to be well?’ People usually tell me that what I have asked is a hard question answer. “Having AIDS is hard—and having AIDS is easy. It changes everything in your
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JUST SAYIN’ to advance safe schools and anti-bullying policies, transgender-inclusive protections and HIV/AIDS work. One-third of centers help register voters and conduct get-out-the-vote drives. Computer Centers: Many LGBT community centers (88%) provide patrons with computer resources; 97% of large centers offer patrons access to computers compared to 72% of small centers. Large centers are defined as those with 2012 expense budgets of $150,000 or greater, while small centers are centers with expense budgets less than $150,000. Staffing & Revenues Many LGBT centers rely on a small number of staff to provide these services. Of the 61 centers that provided information about staff, 18% have no staff and rely entirely on volunteers, and 41% have five or fewer paid staff. Small centers face particular staffing challenges; 46% have no paid staff, and the remaining 54% have between one and five staff. Both large and small LGBT centers reported revenues increases from 2010 to 2011; small centers experienced a
life and keeps surprising you. Just when you are feeling in control of yourself; just when you feel things are getting back to normal (or as close to that state as you are now allowed to get), AIDS jumps back into your life and makes you take twenty trips to the bathroom in a ten hour period. It’s as if something in your body shouts ‘two exits, not waiting!’ Having AIDS is having to find more and more room in the medicine cabinet; or having the hospital admitting nurse get writer’s cramp writing down all the medications that you’re currently taking—just to stay well. Having AIDS is like belonging to a Book-of-the-Month club created by a psychopathic doctor. Instead of getting reading material every month, you are treated to a new and exciting infection. “Having AIDS is like being the world’s worst hypochondriac, worrying about each new spot on your body—every pain— rushing to the doctor when you develop a cough. Having AIDS is constantly wondering which part of your body is going to be affected next; what part of life is going to be limited next; and constantly having to give up activities that are considered unhealthy for you—things that will put you at too much risk. “Being a PWA is not something that you can stop doing. It becomes a way of life; everything in your life changes. You have to change your dietary habits because some things that you love are no longer safe for you to eat, or some things your body just won’t digest anymore. No hollandaise sauce
or Caesar salad because you can’t risk eating raw eggs; and no more rare steaks or fresh fruits. Vegetables only in moderation due to the damage that has been done to your digestive tract by various infections. Being a PWA is learning to change your way of life -- shopping during slow periods of the day because being in a crowd tires you out and puts you at risk of infections that strangers might be carrying. “Three years ago when I first came down with an opportunistic infection, I went through a period of depression that lasted over three months. When it was over, I thought that I was glad I was done with that and now I could get on with my life. How wrong I was. For the last three years my emotions have been like a roller coaster ride, sometimes feeling so up that it is almost euphoric and then taking a plunge down that is so quick and unexpected that you feel like you surely must have left your stomach somewhere up near the top of a hill. It is like being the happiest person one day and having the worst case of P.M.S. the next. “For many years AIDS has been something that was other people’s problem— something that affected “THEM.” There are no “other people.” AIDS affects us all, each and every one of us. AIDS touches all of us in different ways. For some of us it has a more direct influence in our lives. For a person to sit back and say that this is not something that they have to deal with, is wrong. Each of us has been affected by AIDS, not just me, because I have the disease; not
Each of us has been affected by AIDS, not just me, because I have the disease; not just the person who is sitting next to you because his lover died recently; not just the woman across the room from you because she lost a son to AIDS last year.
20% increase in revenues from 2010 to 2011, compared to a 13% increase for large centers. Forty-six percent of 2011 revenues were from government grants, followed by 18% from individual donors and 10% from fundraising events. “From health education and policy advocacy to employment counseling and legal services, community centers provide lifelines to many underserved LGBT communities,” said Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director of MAP. “We’re encouraged to see growing financial support at so many centers, and hope to see even greater investment in the vital role these centers play in the lives of LGBT people across the country.” Des Moines needs to offer one of the BEST Centers’ in the Midwest. I’ve invited you before to get involved: to step up, to lift your voice for your rights and personal freedoms, and this time around I’m asking you to lead. To really step up-to get off barstools and actually do something! As role-models for our youth, supporter of our elders, and brethren to our HIV-AIDS community. To finally stop with the nay-saying and pessimism about the past...let’s get on with creating the best LGBTQI Community Center in the Midwest!
just the person who is sitting next to you because his lover died recently; not just the woman across the room from you because she lost a son to AIDS last year. AIDS is a problem for us all; every man, woman, and child on this planet. AIDS is a disease, not a punishment. AIDS is no different than any other disease—it is not a crime to have AIDS. The true crime is the way that so many of us are treated—treated by people that we used to think of as friends—people that we don’t even know, people who pass moral judgment on us merely for having a disease. “I didn’t intend to lecture you, and I’m sorry if I sound as if I am. The thing that I am here to do is thank you for being here; for reaching out to those of us who have AIDS; and, most importantly, for reaching into your pockets for the money we need in so many ways. The money that is raised will be used to benefit those of us who are in need. It will help to provide funds for programs like the Buddy Program, which supplies support for PWAs and a friendly face for us to turn to when we need help. The funds will be used through agencies like Aid Greater Des Moines to help pay the rent of a PWA’s apartment so they won’t be kicked out to live in the street. It will buy food so we won’t go hungry. It will even take us out to a movie so that we don’t have to sit at home by ourselves all the time —so that we can feel normal again—even if it’s only for a few short hours. “Again, thank you for all your support. Thank you for all the money that you will raise tonight—and most of all, thank you for being here.” Alex Cooke did not live until the 7th annual All Iowa AIDS Benefit. His words were captured for history thanks to FFBC member Gary Moore. The next fundraising benefit for the Project is the Red Hot Party on August 3, 2012. See Briefs and Shorts for details.
QCAD Event Calender
QCAD was founded in 1990 and is the only organization in the greater Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities region that provides education, advocacy and support for Gay, Lesbians, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered and Questioning (GLBTQ) persons. Look for QCAD:Out For Good on Facebook for more information. QCAD dining OUT: Second Monday of every month. Meet at 6:30 at designated restaurant and enjoy a meal with QCAD friends. Call QCAD at 309-286-2580 for locations for information QCAD Young Adults’ Social Group. Meets every Wednesday night, 7 pm, at QCAD Center, 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-786-2580 for information. QCAD Gay and Gray Group. Meets the 4th Monday of every month at 7 PM, QCAD Center, 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-786-2580 for information. QCAD Men’s Coming Out Group. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday nights, 7 PM, at the QCAD Center, 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-786-2580 for information. QCAD Drop-in for teens. Meets every Friday night at 6:30 PM at the QCAD Center, 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-786-2580 for information. QCAD Spectrum: Transgender social/
support group meets the first Saturday of every month , 7 PM, 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-786-2580 for information. QCAD Stitch and Bitch: A class for quilting and other sewing. Meets the first and 4th Monday night from 6 PM to 9 PM at 1608 2nd Avenue, Rock Island. Call 309-7862580 for details.
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TONY HANSEN Wal-Mart will be open more than 10 or 81 days. Here, the wealthy puts some money forward, receives public assistance, and then pockets the profits. This shows why when people like Mitt Romney put money in non-taxable offshore accounts, that method of profit should not be a surprise to people. He was able to profit off his communities here, reduced his tax burden and still pocketed the profits. As one reporter suggested, if you have the means to avoid paying taxes and yet reap the rewards, why would you not? Of course, one has to have the means to set up these ventures and then, convince the public to accept this arrangement. All the while, that person can still whine about the taxes (even if the taxed amount is only a small fraction of the whole). As someone who has enjoyed going to sports games, I am being hypocritical in arguing against these public arenas due to the personal benefit I have had. Yet, one has to consider that Roman emperors would build large coliseums, hold brutal games, and stage massive orgies in order to appease the masses to help the citizens forget that food supplies were short. Thus, this type of investment gives what the public wants instead of what the public needs. The most logical aim of this line of priority suggests that those with means are all too willing to help appease the masses in order to hide that they are actually taking more from the masses. Perhaps Karl Marx was wrong that the working classes will stop being appeased by the scraps from the bourgeois and realize the worth of the labor is powerful.
Section 3: Community
AUGUST 2012
Midwest Leather Weekend 10/5-6 2012 Mr Midwest Leather is joining forces with Midwest Puppy for a Midwest Leather Weekend, featuring the inaugural Midwest Puppy Contest, October 5, 2012 at 10pm, and the Mr Midwest Leather 2012 Contest, October 6 at 10pm. Both take place at Bad Dog Bar & Grill, 3930 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. But that’s just the beginning of the fun and excitement. Friday night following the Midwest Puppy Contest is the Leather Dance with Puppy Mosh Pit for puppies and the men who love and train them. Piles of puppies and lots of man on puppy action to the music. Saturday night after the Mr Midwest Leather Contest is the Midwest Leather Ball: great music, Leathermen, drink specials and entertainment and more Leathermen. Then Sunday, October 7, things finally wind down with
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GALA 2012 from Kansas City. They performed a set titled: “When I Knew” that included narration by Dan Savage. Using the scrim for a photo montage the chorus and soloists staged a joyful and sad memoir of men struggling to come out. It ended with pictures of nearly 15 young men that took their lives—staring at us—as the audience was once again reduced to tears over our collective loss. On Wednesday the Men
the Brunch. A chance to enjoy a great meal and visit with the contestants, judges and volunteers from the weekend’s events. The Midwest Puppy Contest, produced by Christopher “Tyger” Roth of Bad Dog, is one of the first large regional Puppy Contests covering the states of: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota & Ohio. The contest will follow the format of the International Puppy Contest and we are excited that the winner will head to the International Puppy Contest next year! The winner of the Midwest Puppy title not only represents the Leather & Puppy community, but has to be an active supporter of related causes and events, as well as being well versed in Leather & Puppy lore and culture. The title is not
Alive chorus from Laguna Hills, California created a farce about the “Sound of Music” called “Van Trapped”. This clever setting with stage props and some “curtained children” was a very humorous anecdote that was the perfect topper to the five days of performances. There are too many highlights to print, but everyone went away with confidence, spirit, and a
just about the collar and dog bowl, it’s a means for doing good for the community. Being confident and the best pup you can be while taking part in the contest in gear is definitely a help! Last year’s Mr Midwest Leather Contest was a great success with over 300 attending. This year maintains the tradition of the title with an event, bigger and better than ever. Current Mr Midwest Leather 2011, Mike Prater, will be handing over the sash and title to the next Leatherman continuing the line. Producer Charlie Schoenherr promises innovative entertainment, a great panel of Judges and a night to remember. Distinguished judges and emcees of both contests will be announced soon. Visit for more information MidwestLeatherWeekend.com
new-found connection to the LGBT movement. It was the experience of a lifetime and we will not soon forget it’s endearing moments and profound accomplishments. Our region was well-represented with moving music to make us proud of our respective communities and let the coasts know there is a mid-America that is thriving in LGBT pride also.
Everyone went away with confidence, spirit, and a new-found connection to the LGBT movement.
AUGUST 2012 DIRECTORY NOTICE
The ACCESSline community directory is updated each issue. LISTINGS ARE FREE but are limited by space. Free online listings are available at www.ACCESSlineAMERICA.com. Information about new listings must contain a phone number for publication and a contact (e-mail address, land address, or website) for our records. For more information or to provide corrections, please contact Editor@ACCESSlineAMERICA.com or call (712) 560-1807.
The ACCESSline is expanding our resource directory to include heartland resources outside of Iowa. Please bear with us as we continue improving our resource directory. NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Breur Media Corporation : Website Consultation, Design, Programming, and Hosting. HIV and STD Testing Sites near You, including places where you can get tested for free: hivtest.org/ Crisis or Suicide National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org Information on Mental Health National Alliance on Mental Illness: nami.org Counseling, Information and Resources about Sexual Orientation GLBT National Help Center: glnh.org or 1-888-843-4564 Information on Mental Health for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender nami.org Information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health, cdc.gov Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, victoryfund.org 202-VICTORY [842-8679] Human Rights Campaign, National political organization, lobbies congress for lesbian & gay issues, political training state and local, hrc.org, 1-800-777HRCF[4723] Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund I I E. Adams, Suite 1008, Chicago, IL 60603 lambdalegal.org, 312-663-4413 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) ngltf.org - taskforce.org 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Ste 600, Washington, DC, 20005 National Organization for Women (NOW) 733 15th ST NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005, now.org 202-628-8669 PFLAG National Offices 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, info@pflag.org - pflag.org, 202467-8180 The Trevor Lifeline |Crisis and suicide prevention lifeline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. (866) 4-U-TREVOR - (866) 488-7386 Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are toll-free and confidential - thetrevorproject.org/
Iowa ORGANIZATIONS
Equality Iowa P.O. Box 18, Indianola, IA 50125, equalityiowa.org - 515-537-3126 Faithful Voices Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s marriage equality project. faithfulvoices.org Imperial Court of Iowa Non-profit fundraising & social, statewide organization with members from across the State of Iowa. PO Box 1491, Des Moines, IA 50306-1491 imperialcourtofiowa.org Iowa Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Janis Bowden, President, IA NOW janleebow@aol.com PO Box 41114, Des Moines, IA 503111 Iowa Gay Rodeo Association (IAGRA) 921 Diagonal Rd, Malcom, IA 50157 polebender60@yahoo.com 641-990-1411
Section 3: Community Iowa PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gay) State Council, PO Box 18, Indianola, IA 50125 http://community.pflag.org/Page. aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2 515-537-3126 or 641-583-2024 Iowa Pride Network 777 Third Street, Suite 312, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 - Iowapridenetwork.org, Executive Director: 515-471-8062, Outreach Coordinator: 515-471-8063 LGBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force PO Box 1997, Des Moines, 50306 515-243-1221 One Iowa 500 East Locust St, Ste 300, Des Moines, IA 50309 - 515-288-4019 - OneIowa.org The Quire Eastern Iowa’s GLBT chorus, thequire.org
NEBRASKA ORGANIZATIONS (LIST in progress)
Citizens For Equal Protection-402-398-3027 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102. cfep-ne.org - info@cfep-ne.org The Imperial Court of Nebraska Meets the third Monday of Every month at the Rainbow Outreach Resource Center at 17th and Leavenworth in Omaha, NE. Meetings start at 6pm and are open to the public. PO Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103 Nebraska AIDS Project Omaha Office (Home Office) 250 South 77th Street Suite A Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 552-9260 - Email us: info@nap.org (also serving Southwest Iowa)
Ames, Iowa
First United Methodist Church 516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010, Contemporary worship Sat 5:30; Sun 8:30 & 11am acswebnetworks.com/firstunitedmcames/ 515-232-2750 ISU LGBTA Alliance GLBT Support, Activism, Social Events, Newsletter - 515-344-4478 L East Student Office Space,2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014-7163, alliance@iastate. edu - alliance.stuorg.iastate.edu Living with HIV Program 226 SE 16th Street, Ames, IA 50010, Ask for Janelle (Coordinator), 515-956-3312 ext 106 or 800-890-8230 Lord of Life Lutheran - 515-233-2350 2126 Gable Lane, Ames 50014, Services Sundays at 9:00a.m.; Wed. 7:00pm. PFLAG Ames Youth and Shelter Services Offices, 2328 Bristol Drive, Ames, IA 5001, 2nd Tuesday, 7pm - pflagames.org 515-291-3607 Romantics Pleasure Palace 117 Kellogg Street, Ames, IA 50010-3315 romantixonline.com 515-232-7717 United Church of Christ-Congregational 6th & Kellogg, Ames, 50010, Sunday Continental Breakfast, 9:00am; Sunday School, 9:30am; Worship 10:45am. uccames@ midiowa.net 515-232-9323 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames 1015 Hyland Ave. Services: 9:30 am and 11:30 am, Sunday, uufames.org uufa@aol. com 515-292-5960 Unity Church of Ames - unityofames.com 226 9th St, Ames, IA 50010-6210, Sunday service and Sunday school 10:30am. Wednesday mediation 6:30pm Daily dial-a-blessing 515-233-1613
Arnolds Park, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake, Iowa
The Royal Wedding Chapel 504 Church Street, Royal, IA 51357 712-933-2223 TheRoyalWeddingChapel.com Wilson Resource Center An Iowa Great Lakes area gay-owned, nonprofit community based organization. PO Box 486, 597 W. Okoboji Rd., Arnolds Park IA 51331-0486 - 712-332-5043 F.JosephWilson@aol.com. wilsonresource.org
BURLINGTON, Iowa
Arrowhead Motel - arrowheadia.com 2520 Mount Pleasant St, Burlington, IA 52601-2118 - 319-752-6353 Faith Lutheran Church E L C A 3109 Sunnyside Ave, Burlington, IA 52601 HIV/AIDS Screening @ Des Moines County Health Department in Burlington, 522 N 3rd By appointment between 8:00am to 4:30 319-753-8217 Confidential RISQUES IV (adult store) 421 Dry Creek Ave, West Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-5455, Sun - Wed 8am-Midnight Thurs - Sat Open 24 Hours, LoversPlayground.com
Steve’s Place 852 Washington St, Burlington, 319-7545868 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Services start at 10:30 am, 625 N 6th St, Burlington, IA 52601-5032, (319) 753-1895 uuburlington.org
Cedar Falls - Waterloo, Iowa
Adult Cinema 315 E 4th St, Waterloo, IA 50703-4703, (319) 234-7459 Black Hawk Co. Health Department Free HIV testing (donations accepted); MW, 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Thurs, 1:00pm to 4:45pm 1407 Independence Ave. (5th fl), Waterloo 50703 319-291 -2413 Cedar AIDS Support System (CASS) Service, support groups & trained volunteers for persons with HIV/AIDS in Waterloo/CF call Elizabeth or Karla, 319-272-AIDS(2437). cvhospice@forbin.net Cedar Valley Counseling Services Promoting personal growth and development in a strengths-based environment, Joan E. Farstad, MA, Director. 319-240-4615, cvcounseling.com farstd@cvcounseling.com. Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry. In Lutheran Center, 2616 College St, Cedar Falls, IA - 319-415-5747, mcdinoiwa@aol. com, episcopalcampus.org Community AIDS Assistance Project (CAAP) - PO Box 36, Waterloo, IA 50704 LGBTA Support Group at Hawkeye Community College, Call Carol at 319-296-4014 or carol.hedberg@hawkeyecollege.edu Iowa Legal Aid Free civil legal service available to low income persons who qualify under income/asset guidelines. 607 Sycamore, #206, Waterloo, IA 50703 1-800-772-0039 or 319-235-7008 Kings & Queens 304 W. 4th St, Waterloo, IA, 319-232-3001 Romantix Waterloo (Adult Emporium) 1507 La Porte Rd, Waterloo, IA 50702 319-234-9340, romantixonline.com Stellas Guesthouse 324 Summit Ave, Waterloo, IA Private B&B, Overnight accommodations for adults only. 319-232-2122 St. Lukes Episcopal Church - 319-277-8520 2410 Melrose Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Services: Sunday 8:00 & 10:15, Thurs 11:30 st-lukes-episcopal.org St. Timothys United Methodist Church 3220 Terrace Drive, Cedar Falls, 50613 sttims-umc.org, 319-266-0464, info@sttimsumc-org, “Welcome of all persons, including those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.” Together For Youth 233 Vold Dr, Waterloo, IA 50703, TogetherForYouth.net 319-274-6768 UNI-LGBTA Alliance-Student Organization, 244A Bartlet Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls 50613 - lgbta@uni.edu 319-222-0003 United Church of Christ Cedar Falls 9204 University Avenue, Cedar Falls 319-366-9686 Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County - 319-266-5640 3912 Cedar Heights Dr, Cedar Falls, IA
Cedar Rapids/marion, Iowa
Adult Shop 630 66th Ave SW, 319-362-4939 Adult Shop North 5539 Crane Lane, 319-294-5360 Cedar Rapids Unity (formerly GLRC of Cedar Rapids) Social activities, non-profit Pride festival organization. PO Box 1643 Cedar Rapids 52406-1643 - cedarrapidsunity.com Christ Episcopal Church “We have a place for you.” 220 40th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-363-2029 ChristEpiscopal.org Belle’s Basix - 319-363-3194 Open 5pm to 2am M-F, Sat & Sun 3pm-2am 3916 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids Club CO2, A GLBTQA Nightclub, 616 2nd Ave SE, 319-365-0225, Open 7 days a week 4PM2AM, Happy hour from 4-8 pm, club-co2.com Coe Alliance GLBTQ and straight students, staff and people from the community. Coe College, 1220 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. coealliance@coe.edu or Erica Geers, faculty advisor at 319-8616025
Community Health Free Clinic 947 14th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 - 319-363-0416 - communityhfc.org Free Medical Services provided for the uninsured and underserved patients of Cedar Rapids, Marion and the surrounding areas in Eastern Iowa. CSPS Legion Arts Contemporary Arts Center - 319-364-1580 1103 3rd St. SE, info@legionarts.org Eden United Church of Christ 351 8th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 (319) 362-7805 Sunday School 9am - Worship 10:15am Foundation 2 Crisis Counseling 24-hour telephone crisis counseling. f2crisis@aol.com or www.f2online.org 1540 2nd Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 319-362-2174 or 800-332-4224 Linn County Public Health 501 13th NW, Free confidential HIV testing, 319-892-6000 Linn County Stonewall Democrats For more info, contact linnstonewall@ gmail. com People’s Church Unitarian Universalist A welcoming congregation. 4980 Gordon Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 11am Sunday. 319362-9827 - peoplesuu.org PFLAG CR, Linn Co and Beyond Support Group meets on the 4th Thursday at 7pm except for Nov Dec - call for details. 319-431-0673, pflaglcb@gmail.com The Linn County Stonewall Democrats Meet 2nd Wednesdays, Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St SE in Cedar Rapids, IA. Contact Harvey S. Ross, HRoss007@aol.com. Tri-ess, Iota Kappa Phi Chapter P.O. Box 8605, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408 We are a transgendered organization supporting crossdressers, their families, and friends. - ri-ess.org, 319-390-6376, georgia523@ yahoo.com - marlenemarschel@yahoo.com Unity Center of Cedar Rapids “A center of positive, practical Christianity.” 4980 Gordon NE, Cedar Rapids unitycr.org - (319) 393-5422
CLINTON, Iowa
18 and Beyond (aka ABC Books), 135 5th Ave South, 563-242-7687 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton 309 30th Avenue North, Clinton, IA 52732 (563) 242-4972 - uuclinton.org, Sunday services at 10:30 (year-round), Where YOUR spiritual and ethical journey is welcome! Rev. Ruby Nancy, minister
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs Community Alliance “…will promote the city of Council Bluffs as a developing gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender family community, & to assure the equality of all Council Bluffs’ residents.” CouncilBluffsCommunityAlliance.org Council Bluffs NOW PO Box 3325, Omaha, NE 68103-0325 Romantix Council Bluffs (North) (Adult Emporium) 3216 1st Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501-3353-romantixonline.com515-955-9756 Romantix Council Bluffs (South) (Romantix After Dark) 50662 189th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 romantixonline.com, 712-366-1764
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah Human Rights Commission Contact: City Clerk, 400 Clairborne Dr, Decorah, 563-382-3651, Meetings: First Tuesdays, 5:30pm Luther College Student Congregation Contact Office for College Ministry 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101, 563-3871040. Luther College PRIDE-Diversity Center, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Contact Charles 563-210-6570 PFLAG Northeast IA (Waukon/Decorah) Beginning May 23rd: meeting at Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center, 119 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA (lower level), corner of Winnebago and Main Street, Meetings: 4th Mondays, 7pm-9pm Call Jean @ 563-535-7680 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets alternating Sundays at 10:30am, Decorah Senior Center, 806 River St, Call Bill at 563-382-3458.
Des Moines, Iowa
AIDS Project of Central Iowa Free HIV testing, prevention supplies, care services, food pantry, information. 711 E. 2nd, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-0245
ACCESSline Page 31 Blazing Saddle 416 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA theblazingsaddle.com - 515-246-1299 Buddies Corral 418 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA - 515-244-7140 Church of the Holy Spirit-MCC, Pastor Pat Esperanza - Sunday service 10:30am at the 1st Christian Church 2500 University, Des Moines, chsmccdmia@ aol.com 515-287-9787 Des Moines Diversity Chorus [A gay-friendly mixed chorus] Rehearsals on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Beaver Ave. at Franklin St., Des Moines. All are welcome, no auditions. PO Box 65312, West Des Moines, IA 50265, Julie Murphy, Artistic Director jahmurphy@hotmail.com, 515-255-3576, desmoinesdiversitychorus.org Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus 515-953-1540, 4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines - administrator@dmgmc.org Des Moines Pride Center @ One Iowa (temporary location) 419 SW, 8th St., Des Moines, IA 50309 Family Practice Center - 515-953-7560 Safe, supportive LGBT health care. 200 Army Post Road, Ste 26, ppgi.org First Friday Breakfast Club Educational breakfast club for gay/bisexual men. Meets first Friday of each month. Contact Jonathan Wilson for meeting topic and place. 515-288-2500 info@ffbciowa.org ffbciowa.org First Unitarian Church 1800 Bell Avenue, Services Sundays at 9:30 & 11am - 515-244-8603, ucdsm.org Franklin Family Practice Dr. Joe Freund, MD 4908 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310 515-280-4930 The Gallery (adult store) 1000 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4227 - (515) 244-2916 Open 24 Hrs, LoversPlayground.com The Garden 112 SE 4th Des Moines, IA, 515-243-3965 Wed-Sun. 8pm-2am grdn.com Gay & Lesbian AA & AI-Anonymous Mon 7pm; Tue-Thu 6pm; Sat. 5:30pm, at Drake Ministries in Ed. Bldg. 28th & University Gay and Lesbian Issues Committee 4211 Grand Avenue, Level-3, Des Moines, IA 50312 - 515-277-1117 Lavender Victory Fund Financial assistance for women in need for medical emergencies. lavendervf@aol.com Le Boi Bar 508 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, IA Liberty Gifts 333 E. Grand Ave, Loft 105, Des Moines, IA Gay owned specialty clothing, jewelry, home decor. 515-508-0825 MINX Show Palace - 515-266-2744 1510 NE Broadway, Des Moines, IA 50313 North Star Gay Rodeo Association of IGRA, Iowa Division of North Star, NSGRA@ NSGRA.org or 612-82-RODEO Primary Health Care Inc., David Yurdin, 2353 SE 14th St., Des Moines, 503020, Works with GLBT ages 16 to geriatric, 25 years of experience. 515-248-1427 Rainbow Union, Drake University ru@drake.edu PFLAG Des Moines - 515-243-0313 1300 Locust , Des Moines, IA 50312 Plymouth Congregational UCC Church and the Plymouth GLBT Community 4126 Ingersoll Ave. 515-255-3149 Services at 9am & I lam Sunday. PlymouthGLBT.com Polk County Health Department Free STD, HIV, and Hepatitis B & C testing. HIV. Rapid testing also offered. 1907 Carpenter, Des Moines, IA, 515-286-3798. Pride Alliance, AIB College of Business Gay and straight students celebrating diversity. Contact: Mike Smith, Advisor, PrideAlliance@aib.edu - aib.edu/pride Pride Bowling League for GLBT & Supporters - Every Wednesday, 7 PM, Air Lanes Bowling Center 4200 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321-2389. Email pridebowlingleague@ gmail.com or 515-447-2977. Raccoon River Resort Accommodations for men, women, or mixed in campgrounds, lodge, Teepees or Treehouses. Reservations: 515-996-2829 or 515-279-7312 Ritual Café - ritualcafe.com On 13th between Grand and Locust. Gay owned, great music, awesome food & coffee. 515-288-4872 ritualcafe@aol.com
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Romantix North Des Moines Iowa (Bachelor’s Library) 2020 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, romantixonline.com 515266-7992 Spouses of Lesbians & Gays Support group for spouses of gays and lesbians. 515-277-7754 St. John’s Lutheran Church 600 6th Ave “A Church for All People.” Services Sat 5pm, Sun 7:45, 8:45 & 11am. See web page for other services. 515-243-7691 - StJohnsDSM.org TransformationsIOWA Monthly meetings for the female to male, male to female, transgender community, cross dressers, gender queer, questioning, and their significant others. For location and info, email at r.eliason@hotmail.com or call 515-979-6959 Trinity United Methodist Church 1548 Eighth Street - 515-288-4056 Services Sundays 10am, trinityumcdm.org Urbandale UCC - An open & affirming congregation. 3530 70th St., Urbandale, IA 50322, 515-276-0625, urbucc.org Walnut Hills UMC Join us at 8:30 or 10:45am for Sunday worship. Sunday classes & group studies at 9:30am. 515-270-9226, 12321 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323, whumc.org Westminster Presbyterian Church 4114 Allison Ave - WestPres.org Sunday services 8:45 and 11am. Of note is their GAY-LESBIAN-STRAIGHT AFFIRMATION GROUP, GLSA 515-274-1534 Women’s Culture Collective (WCC) A lesbian social group. Des Moines, IA iowawcc.org Word of God Ministries, Sunday service: 3:00pm, at 3120 E 24th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50317, Gay, lesbian & straight affirmation 515-707-5947. Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure Open daily. Gay-friendly, 515-244-7694 2723 Ingersoll, Des Moines, IA
Dubuque, Iowa
Adult Warehouse - 563-588-9184 975 Jackson St, Dubuque, IA Dubuque Friends Worship Group (Quakers) Join us at an unprogrammed worship service on Sunday at 10am. Welcoming and Affirming, 563-582-9388 St. Mark’s Community Center, 1201 White Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 PFLAG Dubuque/Tri-State Carnegie Stout Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 360 W. 11th St. 3rd Tuesday, 7pm 563-581-4606 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque - “The uncommon denomination.” general services at 10am. 1699 Iowa St, Dubuque, IA uuf-dbq.org 563-583-9910
ELKADER, Iowa
Bethany Church (ELCA) - 563-245-1856 307 3rd St NE, Elkader IA 52043 Pastor Jim Klosterboer. Inclusive. Welcoming. A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation of LC/ NA. alpinecom.net/~bethanychurch bethanychurch@alpinecom.net, Schera’s Restaurant & Bar 107 S Main St, Elkader, IA 52043, Scheras.com, E-mail: info@scheras.com Fine dining featuring Algerian & American Cuisine. 563-245-1992
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Romantix Fort Dodge (Mini Cinema) Sun-Thu 10am-12am, Fri & Sat 10am-2am 15 N. 5th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3801 RomantixOnline.com - 515-955-9756
Grinnell, Iowa
Broadviewwildflowerseed.com, Broad View Wildflower Seed, 428 Hamilton Ave., Grinnell, Iowa 50112, Manager/Owner: John C., chicoski7@yahoo.com Saints Ephrem & Macrina Sunday services at 10am. (Affiliated with the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America.) Divine Liturgy is served Sundays during the College academic year 1:30 p.m., Herrick Chapel, Grinnell College Campus, 1226 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA, 641-236-0936 Stonewall Resource Center Open 4:30pm to 11:30pm, Sun through Thurs and by Appointment., Grinnell College, 1210 Park Street PO Box B-1, Grinnell, IA, 50112, srcenter@ grinnell.edu 641-269-3327 United Church of Christ-Congregational, ‘An open and affirming church.’ 902 Broad St, 641-236-3111
Section 3: Community INDIANOLA, iowa
Crossroads United Church of Christ (UCC) An Open & affirming congregation. Services: Sunday 10:30am, Summer worship: June, July, Aug, @ 9:30 am, worshiping in the Lounge at Smith Chapel, Simpson College, corner of Buxton and Clinton. Mailing address: P.O. Box 811, Indianola, IA 50125 515-961-9370. crossroadsucc.org
Iowa City, iowa
AA (GLBT) 319-338-9111 Meetings Sundays 5 - 6pm at First Baptist Church, 500 North Clinton Street. For more info, call IC Intergroup Answering Service, Congregational Church UCC An Open and Affirming Congregation, Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m. 30 N Clinton St (across from Ul Pentacrest) 319-337-4301 - uiccic.org Counseling Clinic 319-354-6238 Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sensitive and supportive counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups. Sliding Fee. 505 E Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 Counseling and Health Center Client-centered therapy. Les-Bi-Gay-Trans always welcome. 616 Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA - 319-337-1679 Crisis Center 319-351-0140 1121 Gilbert Ct, Iowa City, 52240 Emma Goldman Clinic 227 N. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52245 319-337-2111or 1-800-848-7684. Faith United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation. 1609 Deforest Street, Iowa City, 52240 Sunday Worship 9:30 AM 319-338-5238 bob.faithucc@g.com, faithucciowacity.org GLBTAU-U of lA Student support system and resource center, info, activism, events, and other community involvements. 203 IMU, University of IA, Iowa City, IA 522421317 - 319-335-3251 (voice mail) glbtau@uiowa.edu Hope United Methodist Church Worship Service at 9:30am. 2929 E. Court St., Iowa City, IA - Contact Rev. Sherry Lohman. 319-338-9865 Human Rights Commission (City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission) 319-356-5022; 391-356-5015; 319-356-5014 Fax 319-887-6213 humanrights@iowa-city.org ICARE (Iowa Center for AIDS Resources & Education) Practical & emotional support, youth programs, information, referrals and support groups. 319-338-2135 3211 E 1st Iowa City, IA 52240-4703 Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Free & strictly confidential HIV Testing. 2440 Towncrest Dr Iowa City, Call for appointment 319-337-4459 Iowa City NOW PO Box 2944, Iowa City, IA 52244 Iowa Women’s Music Festival P.O. Box 3411, Iowa City, IA 52244 319-335-1486 Men Supporting Men 319-356-6038, Ext 2 HIV prevention program. Discussion Groups, Educational Series, Safer Sex Workshops, Book Club. Andy Weigel, email: aweigel@ co.johnson.ia.us New Song Episcopal Church 912 20th Ave, Coralville, IA. Sunday services at 10am. Rev. Elizabeth Coulter, Pastor. Rev. John Harper, Associate. 319-351-3577 Pride Committee WRAC, 130 N Madison, Iowa City, IA 52242 Bridget Malone - 319-338-0512 Charles Howes - 319-335-1486 Romantix Iowa City - 319-351-9444 (Pleasure Palace I) 315 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240-4722 - romantixonline.com Studio 13 13 S. Linn St. (in the Alley) Iowa City, IA Open 7pm ‘til 2am, daily 319-338-7145 U of I Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Staff & Faculty Association, c/o WRAC, 130 N Madison, Iowa City, IA 52242, 319-335-1486 Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City Inclusive & free religious community nurturing intellectual & spiritual growth & fostering ethical & social responsibility. uusic.org 10 S. Gilbert, Iowa City, IA Sunday services: 9:30am & 11:15am. 319-337-3443 United Action for Youth (UAY) A GLBTQA youth group providing support and counseling for teenagers and young adults processing sexual identity issues. Meets Mondays 7-9pm at UAY 410 Iowa Ave. Iowa City, IA. 319-338-7518 or Teen Line, 319-338-0559. The Ursine Group Bear Events in the Midwest. PO Box 1143, Iowa City, IA 52244-1143 - 319-338-5810
Women’s Resource Action Center (WRAC) Leads & collaborates on projects that serve U of l and the greater community, offers social & support services, including LGBT Coming Out Group. University of Iowa, 130 N Madison, Iowa City, IA 52242 - 319-335-1486
Marshalltown, iowa
Adult Odyssey (Adult Video Store) 907 Iowa Ave E - 641-752-6550 Domestic Violence Alternatives/ Sexual Assault Center, Inc., 132 W Main St. 24 hour Crisis Line: 641-753-3513 or (instate only) 800-779-3512
MASON CITY, iowa
Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health 22 N. Georgia Ave, Ste 300 Mason City, IA 50401. Free confidential AIDS testing. 641421-9321 PFLAG North Iowa Chapter 641-583-2848, pflagmcni@yahoo.com, Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe @ 7 p.m. Wed.
Mount Vernon, Iowa
Alliance Cornell College 810 Commons Cir # 2035 - alliance@cornellcollege.edu - orgs.cornellcollege.edu/alliance/
Pella, iowa
Common Ground (Central College) Support group for GLBT students and allies. Contact: Brandyn Woodard, Director of Intercultural Life woodardb@central.edu 641-628-5134
Quad Cities, iowa
AIDS Project Quad Cities Info, education & support. Davenport, IA 52804, www.apqc4life.org 319-762-LIFE Black Hawk College Unity Alliance Serving GLBT community at Black Hawk College. 6600 34th Ave, Rock Island, IL 309716-0542. Connections Nightclub 563-322-1121 822 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802 DeLaCerda House 309-786-7386 Provides housing & supportive services, advocacy and referrals for people living with HIV/ AIDS. P.O. Box 4551, Rock Island, Il. 61201 Good Samaritan Free Clinic 309-797-4688 Provides free primary medical care to patients age 16-64 who are working but have no medical insurance. gsfc@mchsi.com 602 35th Ave, Moline, IL GoodSamaritanFreeClinic.org The Hole-In-The-Wall 309-289-2375 A Private Membership Men’s Club, Located 3 miles east of Galesburg, IL. just north of I-74 at Exit 51. HoleInTheWallMensClub.org Holy Spirit Catholic Faith Community Meets one Sunday per month for Mass at 6:30pm at MCC-QC, 3019 N. Harrison St, Davenport, IA Mailing: PO Box 192 East Moline, IL 61244 For more info, call 309-278-3359 Lucky Shamrock 313 20th St, Rock Island, IL - 309-788-7426 An Irish Pub open to all types. Mary’s On 2nd 563-884-8014 832 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA MCC Quad Cities - Svcs Sun 11am, Bible study Wed 7pm 563-324-8281, 3019 N Harrison, Davenport, IA 52803 Men’s Coming Out/Being Out Group Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7pm. QCAD.OutForGood@GMail.com 309-7862580 PFLAG Quad Cities 563-285-4173 Eldridge United Methodist Church 604 S.2nd St., Eldridge 1st Monday, 6:30 pm Prism (Augustana College) 309-794-7406 Augustana Gay-Straight Alliance, Augustana Library - 639 38th St, Rock Island, IL, Contact Tom Bengston Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD) Social & support groups for lesbian, bi, and gay teens, adults, friends & families; newsletter. 309-786-2580 - Community Center located at 1608 2nd Ave, Rock Island. Quad Cities Pride Chorus (Call Don at 563324-0215) At the MCC Church in D’port, 7pm Wed. qcswede64@aol.com Rainbow Gifts www.rainbowgifts.net - 309-764-0559 T.R. Video Adult books & video, 3727 Hickory Grove Rd, Davenport, IA. 563-386-7914 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, Rev Jay Wolin, Sunday Service 11am - 563-359-0816 3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807 Venus News (Adult) 902 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA. 563-322-7576
Red Oak, Iowa
First Congregational United Church of Christ (open and affirming) - 712-623-2794 608 E Reed St, Red Oak, IA 51566 Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Pastor uccwebsites.net/firstcongredoakia.html firstconguccredoak@yahoo.com
SHENANDOAH, Iowa
PFLAG Shenandoah 1002 South Elm Street - 712-246-2824
Sioux City, IOWA
Am. Business & Professional Guild. Gay Businessmen. Meets last Sat. of the month; ABPG, P. O. BOX 72, Sioux City, 51102 - abpguild@yahoo.com Grace United Methodist Church 1735 Morningside Avenue - 712-276-3452. Jones Street Station (Bar) 712-258-6922 412 Jones St., Nightly 6:00pm to 2:00am. Mayflower Congregational Church 1407 West 18th St - 712-258-8278. Morningside College Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Alliance Contact Professor Gail Dooley, Advisor Morningside College GSA. 1501 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106-1717 dooley@morningside.edu - 712-274-5208 PFLAG Siouxland PO Box 1311, Sioux City, IA 51102 siouxlandPFLAG@aol.com Romantix Sioux City 712-277-8566 511 Pearl St, Sioux City, IA 51101-1217 St. Thomas Episcopal Church Service Sun 10:30am 406 12th St, Waverly, IA Rev Mary Christopher - 712-258-0141 Western Iowa Tech. GSA widemal@juno.com for info. Zaner’s Bar - 712-277-9575 -3103 N Hwy 75, Sioux City, IA 51105. Monthly drag shows & events; hometown bar for Imperial Court of Iowa’s Western Chapter zaners-sioux-city@hotmail.com
Sioux falls, south dakota
Toppers, 1213 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57103, (605) 339-7686, Su-Tu 7:00pm - Close : We-Sa 3:00pm - 2:00am, sdtoppers.com Center for Equality, 406 S Second Avenue in Sioux Falls, 605-331-1153, centersforequalitysd.org
Waverly, Iowa
Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry. 717 W. Bremer, (St. Andrew’s Episcopal) episcoplcampus.org - 319-415-5747 Gay, Lesbian Bisexual Student Alliance Wartburg College, Waverly, IA 50677. Contact Susan Vallem - 319-352-8250 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 717 W. Bremer. We welcome all to worship with us on Sunday at 10:30am. Bible discussion Wed. 6:45pm 319-352-1489 Rev. Maureen Doherty, Pastor
NEBRASKA (CONTENT IN PROGRESS) HASTINGS, NEBRASKA
PFLAG Hastings - pat@datacc.net
Lincoln, Nebraska
Club Q Lincoln 226 South 9th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 402-475-2269 Indigo Bridge Books The Creamery Building, 701 P St, Ste 102, Lincoln, NE 68508 - 402-477 7770 “Indigo Bridge Books strives to provide a solid, relevant Gender Studies section with a focus on LGBT titles. indigobridgebooks.com Nebraska AIDS Project (Lincoln Office) 1921 South 17th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502 (402) 476-7000 - nap.org OUTLinc Bringing Lincoln’s LGBT Community Together outlinc.org Panic 200 S 18th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 402-435-8764 PFLAG Cornhusker Chapter PO Box 82034, Lincoln, NE 68501 Meetings 4th Tuesday, Unitarian Church of Lincoln, 6300 A St, 7-9pm pflagcornhusker.org PFLAG Helpline: 402-434-9880 - Confidential Support & Information - We’re Here For You ! Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Sexual and Reproductive Health Care, Transgender Care - (402) 441-3302 2246 O St, Lincoln, NE 68510
AUGUST 2012 The Rainbow Clinic in the UNL Psychological Consultation Center “…a specialty outreach service to the GLBTQ community. Psychological services, including individual, couples & family therapy, are provided within the UNL Psychological Consultation Center by regular PCC staff…open year round; day & evening appointments available. $10 for intake & $25 for therapy sessions. Application can be made for reduced fees based on federal poverty guidelines. 325 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588 402-472-2351 unl.edu/psypage/pcc/ Star City Pride starcitypride.org - info@starcitypride.org The Unitarian Church of Lincoln 6300 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510-5097 (402) 483-2213 - unitarianlincoln.org Sunday from 10am to 11am
Omaha, Nebraska
AIDS Interfaith Network 100 N. 62nd, Omaha, NE Call Br. Wm. Woeger, 402-558-3100 Citizens For Equal Protection-402-398-3027 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102. cfep-ne.org - info@cfep-ne.org DC’s Saloon - (western/levi/leather) The Midwest’s hottest GLBT Country & Dance Bar! 610 S 14th St, Omaha, NE, Open everyday 2pm-1am Front Runners/Front Walkers Walking/jogging club. P.O. Box 4583, Omaha, NE 68104, 402-804-8720, frontrunners.org GLBT Rainbow Outreach Omaha Serving GLBT community in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Also office for Imperial court of Nebraska. 1719 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE, rocc.org - 402-341-0330 Greater Omaha GLBT Network - goglbt.org “…to advance growth & equality for its members, businesses & allies by providing educational, networking & community-building opportunities. Meetings 1st Thursday every month locations at a traveling location to see the community and be seen. For more info or to be included on the e-newsletter list, please email us at info@goglbt.org. Heartland Gay Rodeo Association (HGRA) (Midwest Division of the International Gay Rodeo Association) PO Box 3354, Omaha, NE 68103, hgra.net - 402-203-4680, Serves Iowa and Nebraska Heartland Pride ”…to develop a high impact and relevant cultural festival & events annually that promotes equality & unity for the LGBTQ & Allies Communities of Western Iowa and Greater Nebraska. heartlandpride.org Imperial Court of Nebraska P.O. Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103, 402-5569907 Inclusive Life “Religious and Non religious care, services and ceremonies for all!”, 105 S. 49 Street, Suite E, Omaha, NE 68132, (402) 575-7006, inclusifelife.org The Max 1417 Jackson at 15th, Omaha, NE 68102 6 bars in 1 - 402-346-4110 MCC Omaha 819 South 22nd, Omaha, NE 68103, Sun 9:30AM & 11:15 AM. Wednesday “ReCharge” Worship, Wed 7pm - 402-345-2563 PFLAG Omaha Mead Hall, First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St. (Omaha), 2nd Thursday, 7, 6:30 Social, 402-291-6781 River City Gender Alliance Peer support, friendship, and understanding for crossdressers, transgenderists, and transsexuals. PO Box 4083 Omaha, NE 68104, 402-291-6781, info@rcga.us - rcga.us River City Mixed Chorus Gay/lesbian chorus, PO Box 3267, Omaha, NE 68103, Call Stan Brown, 402-341-7464 Tri-ess Chapter, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter, Omaha, NE 68107, Transgendered organization supporting crossdressers, their families, and friends. tri-ess.org, 402-960-9696, Judy marlenemarschel@yahoo.com Youth Support Group for GLBT Youth 13-21, meets twice monthly. Omaha, NE - 402-291- 6781
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IWMF Iowa City, Iowa. For tickets or more info, visit englert.org or call 319-688-2653. Sunday, September 2nd at 1 PM the Women’s Resource & Action Center will be holding an IWMF Film Screening and Fundraiser. AT 130 North Madison Street, Iowa City, Iowa they will be screening “Thunder”,
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OMAHA Nebraskans who wish to add to the trust can donate into the “Charlie Rogers Donation Account” at Union Bank & Trust. Anyone who wishes to send personal notes of support to Ms Rogers, or who is unable to deposit a check directly into the donation account at Union Bank & Trust, should send those by mail, care of: Kirk & Mikolajczyk Law Offices, PO Box 6787 Lincoln NE 68506 For those individuals and organizations donating directly to the account, attorney Megan Mikolajczyk requests that you send
Section 3: Community a documentary about the work and life of folk-singer Ferron, produced by the performer Bitch in collaboration with filmmaker Billie Jo Cavallaro (Billie and the Violent Kids). Bitch and Ferron will be available for a discussion following the film. Film runtime: 70 minutes. Refreshments available and donations accepted, and the DVD will be available for purchase. For more info, visit prairievoices.net or call 319-335-1486. her an email at megan@kmlawlincoln.com so the law offices can keep track of donations and their sources. Mikolajczyk has emphasized that nothing will be done with the funds in the donation account until investigation into the crime is completed. Inclusive Life has been serving Iowa and Nebraska since 2009. We are a Nebraska, Nonprofit, Independent-Multifaith Community. We serve all without exception; Religious. Nonreligious. Spiritual. We offer Pastoral Care, Officiate Weddings, Prepare End of Life Documents, provide hospital visits, perform: Baptisms, naming ceremonies, blessings, dedications, and Officiate Funerals.
“What the hell is wrong with you people? We have so much strife in the world as it is, life is so difficult as it is. It’s hard enough to find good friends and even harder to find a life partner. If two consenting adults want to declare their love for each other, make each other their person, and spend their lives together nurturing each other, how can that possibly be your business?” - David Gerwitz, ZDNet, replying to a mother who wants to stop buying Kindle products because Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, and his wife announced they were going to donate $2.5 million to protect marriage equality in Washington State.
AUGUST 2012
Greater Omaha GLBT Network Calendar GoGLBT Meeting
Friday, August 3, 2012, 5:30pm 7:00pm
Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) Biweekly Meeting-Iowa
Friday, August 10 & 24, 2012, 5:30pm - 8:00pm Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) promotes the city of Council Bluffs as a developing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender family community, and to assure the equality of all Council Bluffs’ residents. Please email councilbuffscommunityalliance@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) Weekly Meeting-Iowa Every Friday, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm CBCA also meets at Barleys, 114 W. Broadway in Council Bluffs every other Friday at 5:30 PM - 8:00. Come unwind with them after a long week of work!
The Wimmins Show
Every Sunday, 11:30am - 1:00pm The Wimmins Show online at kzum. org, or if you live in Lincoln, on 89.1. The Wimmins Show focuses on music by, for, and about women, featuring lesbian and feminist artists. Hosted by Deb Anderson and other guest programmers.
The Project of the Quad Cities Calender
Founded in 1986, The Project of the Quad Cities is a non-profit HIV/STI/AIDS Service Organization that provides support to persons living with HIV/STI/AIDS as well as their families and friends in Iowa and Illinois. www.apqc4life.org
Symptom Management Group—Every Wednesday from 1-2:30 pm Life Skills Group—Every other Wednesday from 10-11:30 am Coffee Hour—10-11:30 am on Wednesdays when the Life Skills Group does not
meet; A relaxed and casual atmosphere
Groups meet at our Moline office. We also offer free HIV testing Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information call Susie or Mollie at 309-762-5433
AUGUST 2012
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